Air NZ begins pilot redundancies

Air New Zealand is laying off 387 pilots as part of a wider move to reduce its workforce by at least 3750, it is understood, Stuff News reports.

Like most airlines around the world Air New Zealand has been hammered by the coronavirus pandemic due to Governments closing their borders and demand for air travel falling off a cliff.

The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association, which represents 1520 Air New Zealand pilots, was deep in negotiations with the airline on Tuesday morning.

It is understood an email outlining the pilot job losses was sent to staff on Monday evening.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions on travel Air New Zealand has grounded 58 of its 114 aircraft across Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch and Wellington airports.

Over the past month and a half the airline's capacity has reduced by about 95 per cent.

> Stuff News