Koru Hour Suspension
Jul 26, 23, 2:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Wellington
Posts: 57
Koru Hour Suspension
Just flew AKL-WLG on NZ445 this evening. Just before the crew started their service, the ISM very apologetically explained they couldn’t offer their Koru Hour service due to liquor licensing requirement.
Frustratingly, they also didn’t serve the cheese - it was just the regular cookie and chips option
It was definitely showing up as an koru hour flight when I booked it a couple of weeks ago. I know I’m the past they’ve suspended it (a few times since COVID).
Anyone know what’s going on here? I wonder if this is a one-off thing or if they’ve suspended it again but not advertised as such.
Frustratingly, they also didn’t serve the cheese - it was just the regular cookie and chips option
It was definitely showing up as an koru hour flight when I booked it a couple of weeks ago. I know I’m the past they’ve suspended it (a few times since COVID).
Anyone know what’s going on here? I wonder if this is a one-off thing or if they’ve suspended it again but not advertised as such.
Jul 26, 23, 2:20 am
#2
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 891
As for the lack of cheese and crackers I have no explanation… simply just odd.
As for the liquor, it’s a license issue (I’ve had this recently as well). All Air NZ A320s (including the neos) are registered with Auckland City Council, the liquor license essentially requires the cabin manager to hold a duty managers license. Firstly this process takes time but also those applying have to go for a duty managers interview with Auckland council and the current backlog for this is extensive from what I’ve heard. Additionally there is still a process after this for NZ police and council to undertake that takes weeks.
Air NZ have a few new CSMs who haven’t had this interview therefore it’s cause a few issues for Koru Hour, ironically flights are catered regardless of crew so they’d still have the booze onboard just legally can’t serve it.
It doesn’t help that some aren’t based in Auckland but also can’t just drop everything and show up at an interview slot.
I’m under the impression they’re trying to schedule crew to avoid these issues (eg crew who don’t hold liquor licenses won’t be scheduled on Koru hour flights) but obviously this isn’t always possible.
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/...interview.aspx
As for the liquor, it’s a license issue (I’ve had this recently as well). All Air NZ A320s (including the neos) are registered with Auckland City Council, the liquor license essentially requires the cabin manager to hold a duty managers license. Firstly this process takes time but also those applying have to go for a duty managers interview with Auckland council and the current backlog for this is extensive from what I’ve heard. Additionally there is still a process after this for NZ police and council to undertake that takes weeks.
Air NZ have a few new CSMs who haven’t had this interview therefore it’s cause a few issues for Koru Hour, ironically flights are catered regardless of crew so they’d still have the booze onboard just legally can’t serve it.
It doesn’t help that some aren’t based in Auckland but also can’t just drop everything and show up at an interview slot.
I’m under the impression they’re trying to schedule crew to avoid these issues (eg crew who don’t hold liquor licenses won’t be scheduled on Koru hour flights) but obviously this isn’t always possible.
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/...interview.aspx
Last edited by henrus; Jul 26, 23 at 2:42 am
Jul 26, 23, 2:31 am
#4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 891
Jul 26, 23, 2:41 am
#5
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 891
Also before anyone asks, yes Jetstar also has the same policy, even though their aircraft are registered in Australia they still need an NZ domestic liquor license when operating in NZ.
Like Air NZ, Jetstar also have registered some of their VH- aircraft in Auckland. Currently ~54% of Jetstar's A320 fleet holds an Auckland council liquor license.
Jetstar's also got a slightly better license then Air NZ that allows them to serve/sell alcohol 8am to 4am daily, whereas Air New Zealand is 8am to 12am daily although obviously Air NZ only chose to serve it on Koru Hour flights whilst Jetstar sell it on all flight except between 4am and 8am.
Like Air NZ, Jetstar also have registered some of their VH- aircraft in Auckland. Currently ~54% of Jetstar's A320 fleet holds an Auckland council liquor license.
Jetstar's also got a slightly better license then Air NZ that allows them to serve/sell alcohol 8am to 4am daily, whereas Air New Zealand is 8am to 12am daily although obviously Air NZ only chose to serve it on Koru Hour flights whilst Jetstar sell it on all flight except between 4am and 8am.
Jul 26, 23, 3:05 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Wellington
Posts: 57
As for the lack of cheese and crackers I have no explanation… simply just odd.
As for the liquor, it’s a license issue (I’ve had this recently as well). All Air NZ A320s (including the neos) are registered with Auckland City Council, the liquor license essentially requires the cabin manager to hold a duty managers license. Firstly this process takes time but also those applying have to go for a duty managers interview with Auckland council and the current backlog for this is extensive from what I’ve heard. Additionally there is still a process after this for NZ police and council to undertake that takes weeks.
Air NZ have a few new CSMs who haven’t had this interview therefore it’s cause a few issues for Koru Hour, ironically flights are catered regardless of crew so they’d still have the booze onboard just legally can’t serve it.
It doesn’t help that some aren’t based in Auckland but also can’t just drop everything and show up at an interview slot.
I’m under the impression they’re trying to schedule crew to avoid these issues (eg crew who don’t hold liquor licenses won’t be scheduled on Koru hour flights) but obviously this isn’t always possible.
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/...interview.aspx
As for the liquor, it’s a license issue (I’ve had this recently as well). All Air NZ A320s (including the neos) are registered with Auckland City Council, the liquor license essentially requires the cabin manager to hold a duty managers license. Firstly this process takes time but also those applying have to go for a duty managers interview with Auckland council and the current backlog for this is extensive from what I’ve heard. Additionally there is still a process after this for NZ police and council to undertake that takes weeks.
Air NZ have a few new CSMs who haven’t had this interview therefore it’s cause a few issues for Koru Hour, ironically flights are catered regardless of crew so they’d still have the booze onboard just legally can’t serve it.
It doesn’t help that some aren’t based in Auckland but also can’t just drop everything and show up at an interview slot.
I’m under the impression they’re trying to schedule crew to avoid these issues (eg crew who don’t hold liquor licenses won’t be scheduled on Koru hour flights) but obviously this isn’t always possible.
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/...interview.aspx
Strange about the cheese and crackers though, maybe a catering issue or something? It sure would seem odd to have them on board but not serve them given their fast perishability, unlike the traditional snack offerings.
Jul 26, 23, 3:14 am
#7
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 891
Thanks for the explanation! I wasn’t overly familiar with the liquor licensing requirements - I wondered if they needed to be licensed under the local authority body at both the departure and arrival ports but your explanation makes much more sense.
Strange about the cheese and crackers though, maybe a catering issue or something? It sure would seem odd to have them on board but not serve them given their fast perishability, unlike the traditional snack offerings.
Strange about the cheese and crackers though, maybe a catering issue or something? It sure would seem odd to have them on board but not serve them given their fast perishability, unlike the traditional snack offerings.
A bit off topic but the other thing I've noticed is some crews recycle whilst others don't. Things like plastic cups/cardboard cheese/cracker containers can be recycled if separated but I'm not sure why some crews just throw it all together and others separate it out. Obviously this is just a domestic thing as on international flights all waste on flights into AU/NZ is incinerated for biosecurity reasons.
Jul 26, 23, 4:42 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,461
Thanks for the explanation! I wasn’t overly familiar with the liquor licensing requirements - I wondered if they needed to be licensed under the local authority body at both the departure and arrival ports but your explanation makes much more sense.
Strange about the cheese and crackers though, maybe a catering issue or something? It sure would seem odd to have them on board but not serve them given their fast perishability, unlike the traditional snack offerings.
Strange about the cheese and crackers though, maybe a catering issue or something? It sure would seem odd to have them on board but not serve them given their fast perishability, unlike the traditional snack offerings.
Jul 26, 23, 5:07 am
#9
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 891
Things are a little different in Australia, for domestic flights they don't actually need any license assuming the alcohol is served in the air by the airline (this applies to both intra/interstate flights).
Jul 26, 23, 9:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite Partner/Silver (in own right), PR Classic, QF Bronze, UA Member, VA Red
Posts: 1,543
However, as a (largely) non-drinker (by choice) this does mean I don't need to smell all those alcohol fumes
Jul 27, 23, 1:31 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,461
Jul 28, 23, 2:27 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,365
On the flights I've had without a liquor license they've still served the cheese/crackers so probably just a one off catering issue.
A bit off topic but the other thing I've noticed is some crews recycle whilst others don't. Things like plastic cups/cardboard cheese/cracker containers can be recycled if separated but I'm not sure why some crews just throw it all together and others separate it out. Obviously this is just a domestic thing as on international flights all waste on flights into AU/NZ is incinerated for biosecurity reasons.
A bit off topic but the other thing I've noticed is some crews recycle whilst others don't. Things like plastic cups/cardboard cheese/cracker containers can be recycled if separated but I'm not sure why some crews just throw it all together and others separate it out. Obviously this is just a domestic thing as on international flights all waste on flights into AU/NZ is incinerated for biosecurity reasons.
They also changed the rules around what can been kept a couple years back, e.g. all the bar cards to be classes as wasted when arriving into AKL. They are now sorted, and things like cans of drink or bottles of wine are now put back into stock.
