Air New Zealand axes mask requirement

International travellers returned to New Zealand and were welcomed back at Auckland International Airport on Wednesday. 13 April 2022 Photograph by Greg Bowker // Auckland International Airport

Face coverings will no longer be required on any Air New Zealand-operated flights from 13 September 2022 following the Kiwi government’s announcement that face masks will no longer be required on inbound international or domestic flights.

Masks may still be required on some outbound international flights depending on the individual jurisdiction the flight is arriving in.

Air New Zealand’s chief customer and sales Leanne Geraghty said customers will still be welcome to wear their own face mask if they wish and the airline will continue to make masks available.

“Masks have played an important part in keeping customers, crew and communities safe during the Covid pandemic, but it’s time to say farewell,” Geraghty said.

“While some customers and employees will welcome this news, it doesn’t mean masks are disappearing forever.

“We really encourage customers to continue to do what makes them comfortable, which is the same message we’re sharing with our employees.

“I want to make a special call out to our frontline staff who have smiled behind masks during a difficult period, often wearing masks for hours on end. They’ve helped keep customers and our communities safe, and we’re looking forward to seeing their smiling faces again.”

Air New Zealand is also reminding customers to opt into credit until 30 September should they wish not to travel following the change.


Featured image: Photograph by Greg Bowker, Auckland International Airport

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]