Air NZ employees among first round of Kiwis for COVID-19 vaccine

Air NZ has confirmed 3,800 front-line employees will be included in the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations.

The roll-out began this week with the country’s border workers and healthcare staff among those being prioritised.

Air NZ’s chief medical officer Dr Ben Johnston said he welcomed the government’s decision to include airline workers in the first stages of the roll-out.

“Our employees have been among the most impacted by COVID-19 safety requirements including following isolation protocols offshore, undergoing regular testing, wearing PPE at work, or isolating on return from duties, all the while keeping New Zealanders connected to each other and New Zealand connected to the world,” he said.

“While it’s not mandatory, we are strongly encouraging our people to take the opportunity to be vaccinated as part of the prioritised roll-out.

“We are working hard with our people to ensure everyone understands how the vaccine works, the benefits of receiving it and key safety information so they can make an informed decision.”

Read more: ‘Cautious optimism’: Early COVID-19 vaccine success sparks questions for HR

All of the airline’s cabin crew and pilots, plus airport, cargo and line maintenance employees in Auckland and Christchurch will be first in line for the vaccination over the next few weeks. 

Vaccinations are hoped to be the golden ticket to resuming international travel and kickstarting the aviation industry.

Air NZ recently announced its plans to trial a digital vaccine passport on flights between Sydney and Auckland from April.

The airline will use an app called Travel Pass, developed by the International Air Transport Association, to check whether passengers have been vaccinated before they board.

The software enables a medical centre to send confirmation of the user’s vaccination record to the app, which with the passenger’s permission, can be shared with an airline or border control.

Air NZ chief digital officer Jennifer Sepull said the goal is to enable customers to seamlessly manage their digital travel documentation when crossing state or international borders.

Many leaders in the aviation industry, including Qantas boss Alan Joyce, have said widespread international travel in the future will only be possible if passengers have been vaccinated.

Read more: No jab, no job? Employer mulls mandatory vaccination for staff

It has prompted questions over airlines will move to enforce vaccinations among staff.

Speaking to HRD, Hamish Kynaston, partner at law firm Buddle Findlay, said the case for mandatory vaccinations is easier in some industries, like agedcare and healthcare.

But there could also be a case for requiring employees to have the jab in the aviation industry too.

“It will be fascinating in the aviation industry. An employer might say in order for us to keep you safe, you need to be vaccinated,” he said.

“Coming into contact with international travellers is a potential justification but it’s certainly not as crystal clear as looking after a vulnerable patient.”