Air New Zealand

Government cargo subsidy cushions Air New Zealand’s 2021 loss

An all-black Air New Zealand plane with wheels down on approach in blue sky.

The government giveth and the government taketh away.

Air New Zealand increased second-half 2021 cargo revenue by nearly 2.5 times the 2019 level to US$321 million, and 29% year-over-year, with a big boost from a government subsidy program primarily aimed at air cargo. But the overall business couldn’t withstand extended national border restrictions and a 107-day COVID lockdown of the capital, Auckland, resulting in a dramatic decline in passenger traffic and $250 million pretax loss, the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/government-cargo-subsidy-cushions-air-new-zealands-2021-loss

Governments help correct COVID distortions in airfreight market

Cargo ets loaded via conveyor belt onto rear of a plane.

Taking a page from neighboring Australia, the government of New Zealand has launched an emergency program to reestablish airfreight supply chains interrupted by the suspension of passenger flights so important exports can get to global markets. 

The air cargo assistance programs guarantee export cargo on key routes under agreements with air carriers. Essential medical supplies ordered by the governments are loaded on return flights. 

Exporters in both nations were stranded without the regular...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/governments-help-correct-covid-distortions-in-airfreight-market