By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Air New Zealand Hits Back at Racist Online Comment
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Air New Zealand Hits Back at Racist Online Comment

Air New Zealand Hits Back at Racist Online Comment

Travel Radar
Last updated: 30 November 2019 23:27
By Travel Radar Staff 3 Min Read
Share
SHARE

A social media comment has fuelled a fire between an Air New Zealand social media representative and a customer query.

A passenger wrote on Air New Zealand’s Facebook group about the ongoing renovations at Wellington’s Koru Lounge.

“When will the refurbished Wellington domestic Koru Club lounge be opened. It’s been out of action for months now,” she asked.

Air New Zealand replied with an innocent comment saying

“Kia ora (name redacted), our team are working hard to finish our amazing lounge for customers. We hope to have more information regarding this shortly.” It was signed off by someone with the initials “FC”.

Kia Ora is a greeting in New Zealand’s native language, Māori, which is commonly used throughout day to day communication in businesses to promote and sustain the native language. The customer though, did not seem happy with the response with them replying…

“Hello FC (I’m not maori), any likelihood it will be open by mid-December?”

Air NZ: “We do not expect this lounge to be re-opened within 2019. However, taihoa koe ka kite all the amazing improvements we have made, FC.”

The responses have been very positive towards Air NZ’s comments with the majority of people praising them, or criticising the passenger for their comments.

Passenger: “Air New Zealand I’m still not maori. What’s the English translation of that?”

A helpful commentator posted a link to a Māori dictionary.

Air NZ Staff perform a Haka (A ceremonial dance or challenge in Māori culture) |© TVNZ

Air NZ: “We’ve done a bit of digging for you, (name redacted), and it looks like the lounge will be open just before Kirihimete! We can’t wait to open the doors again, then you’ll get to see all the amazing improvements we’ve made, SM.” They added a Christmas emoji too.

The continued use of the native language throughout these hit backs at the customer has set an example for what the airline stands for. Air New Zealand is committed to sustaining the culture of New Zealand as part of their sustainability goals.

The original post and comments appear to have been deleted, but the woman’s Facebook page is publicly accessible and contains many posts about race. In one, she suggested a fake story about removing the Holocaust from UK school curriculums because it “offended Muslims” was comparable to what was happening to colonial Pākehā history in Aotearoa.

What do you think about Air NZ’s responses? Let us know in the comments!

You Might Also Like

Vueling Fleet Moving away from an Airbus-reliant Structure

Get ready for SPOTLAX 2025: September dates announced

Emirates to Launch Fourth Daily Flight Between Dubai and London Gatwick in 2026

The Rise of ‘Green Airports’: How Sustainable Terminals Are Transforming Air Travel

Manchester Airports Group provided new government funding for the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love1
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Travel Radar
By Travel Radar Staff
Follow:
Articles from guest contributors wishing to remain anonymous are credited to this account. Want to contribute to Travel Radar either in-name, or anonymously? Get in touch: [email protected]
Previous Article 777x Fuselage RIPS APART during testing
Next Article Global Warming may CLOSE Greenland’s Airport

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

British Airways "BA Better World" (climate change action, use of sustainable aviation fuel SAF) special paint scheme
Can the UK aviation industry reduce its environmental impact — and who pays?
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation
Airbus plane damage after bird strike. bird strike shortly after leaving Madrid Barajas Airport
Bird strike causes damage to nose cone onboard flight IB579 to Paris
Airlines Airports Aviation
JetBlue seatback entertainment.
Flying into Autumn: JetBlue’s Fresh In-Flight Experience
Aviation Did You Know Travel
An Etihad Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft is captured mid-takeoff from a runway at an airport. The plane's landing gear is still extended, and the background features a modern terminal building with a distinctive wavy roof design and a radar tower.
Etihad Airways took delivery of five aircraft in July
Aircraft Airlines Aviation
Two individuals are seated at a table, each holding a stylus and tablet. They are in front of a screen displaying the logos of Etihad Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines.
Etihad Airways Announces New Loyalty Partnership with Azul Brazilian Airlines
Airlines Aviation Points & Loyalty
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?