Media Release
30 September 2009

Air New Zealand Tsunami Update

Air New Zealand has sent basic supplies to Samoa to help those who lost belongings in the tsunami.

General Manager of Airline Operations David Morgan says the Boeing 777-200 ER that left for Samoa this afternoon was stocked with several hundred blankets, more than 1000 t-shirts and basic amenity packs with items like toothbrushes and tooth paste from the airline’s stores.

“While these may seem small items, they will be greatly appreciated by those who have been left with nothing or little in the wake of the tsunami, which has devastated so many communities and families. We are receiving regular reports of people turning up at the airport in Apia in as little as pyjamas and any small comfort we can give them as the aid effort gets underway is essential,” Mr Morgan says.

Mr Morgan says Air New Zealand is committed to providing whatever resource is necessary to help with the aid effort.

“We have been in regular dialogue with both the New Zealand and Samoan Governments to determine what support we can provide at this extremely difficult time and are upgauging our service between Auckland and Samoa tomorrow from a Boeing 767 to a Boeing 777-200ER to provide an additional 85 passenger seats and extra cargo capacity,” Mr Morgan says.”

ENDS

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