Originally Posted by
nzkarit
Concur really.
Outside of this AirNZ was good at refunding the few cancellations they had (outside of weather, which most likely wouldn't be covered anyway). To me this is the key part in BAU operations AirNZ refunded without a stick of legislation.
Even when they were first bringing in flight changes (a week before NZ's border changes) a trip I had to Japan which had the return shifted a day was offered a refund or change to next day. (I'm kicking myself as said change day).
I suspect AirNZ will go back to this policy, once this is all over. Just now with a global pandemic cash is king. I doubt the Govt will want to change things which means a national asset (a lot of exports & tourism requires an airline based in NZ with a focus on NZ) will become insolvent.
Yes a refund would be nice but I understand the business needs for credits. Future international travel for me would be more difficult without AirNZ as an airline.
Which is why New Zealand, the government, ought to bail out NZ, the carrier. In that way, the national needs are carried by all in proportion, not on those who were unlucky to have cash tied up at the wrong time.
The US is bailing out its carriers, EU member states will do the same, and so on. But, individuals do not lose because they bought a ticket at a time when travel seemed quite ordinary.