RATs everywhere
Operating nine charter flights through to 20 February 2022, Air New Zealand is currently helping to bring in tens of millions of rapid antigen tests (RATs) to support the country's Covid-19 response over the coming months.
General manager cargo Anna Palairet: "We've been operating charters for RAT kits since December, but things are really ramping up now. In addition to charters, we've also been making use of capacity on commercial flights. Where we've got space, we're using it for RATs. While we are constrained by available aircraft and operating crew for charter flights, having our B777-300 back in action since early February will help to increase cargo capacity."
The airline has seen its cargo business skyrocket over the past two years, with an estimated 200 million t of products carried since 2020. (ah)