Full holiday flights cause long queues at airports with few staff

Long queues test passengers’ patience and strain on staff as Christchurch Airport struggles to deal with winter holiday calls.

Reopened bordersschool holidays and a snowy ski season have combined to increase the number of passengers to and from the airport this week.

At the same time, COVID-19 and winter illnesses keep staff sick.

A traveler told stuff they ran into very long queues for international departures at around 4:50am on Tuesday, normally a quiet travel time.

READ MORE:
† The secret aviation menu with 24 options – and it’s all free
† Air NZ asks staff to volunteer at airports on their own time to help with shortages
† Consumer NZ warns travelers to avoid online agent eDreams after complaints

He said there was one Air New Zealand employee at international check-in, a large luggage drop-off line and the passport e-gate line that cut across the terminal and past the food court.

This week, the airport handles about 100 arrivals and departures from 100 flights daily, of which about a tenth is international. The airport is estimated to handle 20,000 passengers a day, its busiest period since before the pandemic.

Fuel rationing at Queenstown airport due to a temporary shortage has also boosted air traffic in Christchurch as trans-Tasman flights detour through the city to refill their tanks.

Airport spokeswoman Yvonne Densem said: flights across the country were “very full”.

The airport, as well as tenants of eateries, retail outlets and airlines, had a hard time finding staff, she said. Several other employers who handle airport services, such as security, immigration control, and baggage handling, are also understaffed.

“We have staff vacancies and staff illnesses like everywhere. Some restaurants have to close if someone is sick.

“It turns out to be almost impossible for someone to get temporary staff.”

Densem said they had put up signs asking passengers to be patient.

“The employees who are there are doing their best. Many of them work extra hours, extra shifts. It’s not easy for them.

“There will be delays. We hope people will understand.”

She advised passengers to reserve a parking space in advance, allow enough time to get through the terminal, and be prepared before standing at the front of the line.

Meanwhile, Air New Zealand has messaged its employees in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland: ask them to volunteer to help at airports on their own time while other staff are sick.

Duties include helping airport teams, managing queues, escorting customers and reducing travellers’ stress levels, and the airline received a good response from its employees and senior staff, the airline said.

The airline is experiencing its busiest July school holiday period since the pandemic, with more than 672,000 customers booked to travel domestically and abroad during the two weeks. At the same time, bad weather and staff illness have put a strain on the airline’s network.

Airlines and airports around the world are under pressure as travel equipment declines, with a combination of understaffing and new, inexperienced staff.

A spokeswoman for Jetstar said they were “in one of the busiest travel periods of the year” and saw “high demand” for destinations.

The airline currently operates 50 weekly return flights, both domestic and trans-Tasman, from Christchurch.

The spokeswoman asked passengers to check in online if possible, arrive at the airport early, not to forget to remove items such as laptops from the bags for the screening and “be patient with fellow travelers and staff”.

Those traveling internationally should have their documentation to hand, she said.