Air New Zealand ordered to freeze international bookings

The New Zealand Government has ordered Air New Zealand to put a freeze on all international bookings to New Zealand as projections show the country’s Covid-19 quarantine facilities nearing capacity. New Zealand has 32 managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities across the country with operational capacity for 6260 people. Since March 26 there have been 66,441 people pass through the facilities. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman told Stuff it was instructed by the Government on Wednesday evening to put a hold on new bookings on international services until Tuesday to help ensure there was space available in quarantine accommodation for inbound passengers for the required 14-day period. “We were advised of the requirement on Wednesday evening and actioned it accordingly,” the spokeswoman said. Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) figures show projected occupancy across managed isolation facilities in 14 days time is 6062, leaving just 3 per cent vacancy. Projected occupancy is based on ticketing sales provided by airlines. The squeeze on MIQ facilities comes following a sustained period of excess capacity, with the average occupancy rate since September 19 sitting at 73 per cent, according to MBIE data. 

From Tuesday, it will be compulsory for anyone planning to come to New Zealand to have a confirmed booking at a facility using a new voucher system, dubbed the Managed Isolation Allocation System (MIAS). Airlines will not allow travellers to board a New Zealand-bound flight unless they have a voucher. Board of Airlines New Zealand executive director Justin Tighe-Umbers said airlines were seeing strong demand for seat bookings from people returning to New Zealand between now and Christmas. “There is limited managed isolation and quarantine accommodation, so people need to be sure they have secured a place by getting a voucher from the New Zealand Government,” he said. It’s not the first time the Government has instructed airlines to put a halt on bookings. In July airlines put a freeze on new bookings for several weeks following a request from the Government, so its MIQ facilities were not overwhelmed by returning New Zealanders seeking refuge from the worsening global pandemic.

Megan Woods, caretaker Minister for MIQ, said the logistics of managing the flow of people into managed isolation, their corresponding immigration status and coordinating with airlines was a complex exercise. “Although recently there has been a period of lower demand, we are seeing demand increase with the approach of Christmas holidays and MIQ facilities will be operating at their target capacity,” Woods told Stuff. She said the MIAS helped manage the timing of people entering New Zealand so their place in a managed isolation facility could be guaranteed. “We strongly encourage everyone who has already bought tickets to confirm with their airlines that their flight is operating and to make sure that they hold a managed isolation voucher for their arrival date.”






Story sourced from here
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/123241168/air-new-zealand-ordered-to-freeze-international-bookings-as-kiwis-flock-home-for-christmas