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There were big smiles under the masks last Friday, as Air New Zealand had their busiest day of flying since Covid-19 closed the borders.
It says 42,000 flyers have been booked across the airline’s 520 flights as the long weekend and school holidays coincide with the start of this week’s trans-Tasman bubble.
Onboard one of the services was Air NZ CEO Greg Foran, who headed across the ditch to Sydney on his first international flight since becoming CEO last year.
Air New Zealand General Customer Cabin Crew Leeanne Langridge says it will be a “bumper day” with Auckland-Wellington the busiest route with around 5500 customers.
Air New Zealand said Monday was a “mammoth day” with more than 5000 people expected to travel on its aircraft across the Tasman. The Queensland couple booked their return ticked on Sunday, April 18, and arrived at Auckland International Airport on Wednesday.
Kelly Hodel/Stuff “I’m feeling relaxed, happy and excited,” Woods said. Beaming with excitement and unable to wipe the smiles from their faces, the duo were finally able to explore another country after a year of closed borders. “We originally had a trip around Melbourne booked, but because we are from Queensland, we went into quarantine following the outbreak about three weeks ago,” Baker said.
“It’s amazing to see so many customers getting out across Aotearoa and Australia. We’re looking forward to welcoming even more of our Aussie neighbours to our beautiful shores and showing Kiwis all that Australia has to offer,” said Langridge. It’s been a big week for air travel and tourism in New Zealand. Tourism operators in both countries are hoping that the bubble will help an industry ravaged by the coronavirus. The first week has only seen a trickle of tourists from Australia, although that is expected to increase substantially over the ski season. One NZ tourist hotspot has already welcomed its first visitors from across the Tasman. Monique Baker, who was celebrating her 23rd birthday, and partner Brandon Woods, from Brisbane, were excited to tick Hobbiton off their bucket list.
CALGARY A Calgary high school was placed under lockdown for just over an hour Tuesday after a woman acting erratically entered the building. A note to parents says the woman went into Bishop O Byrne High School just after 1 p.m., as the lunch period was ending. Police were called and the lockdown procedure was initiated. CPS responded quickly and escorted the woman from the school, read a note from principal Monique Baker to parents. Police checked the entire building, including the Cardel complex and determined the school was safe. The lockdown was lifted about 2:30 p.m. Police said the woman was suffering from a mental health issue and was removed from the building but not arrested.
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