Article from the OTG....
Action by pilots upsets travellers
By Dene Mackenzie Friday, 21st July 2006
Ongoing industrial action by some Mount Cook Airline pilots is causing frustration for Dunedin travellers as they find their flights cancelled and miss connections.
The Otago Daily Times was approached by travel agents complaining about the actions of the Mount Cook pilots on ATR flights between Dunedin and Christchurch.
It appeared the most popular flight for cancellation was the 10.05am service to Christchurch, which connected with the Singapore Air international flight.
The ODT was told pilots were phoning in sick at the last minute and that other pilots were not making themselves available as replacements.
Dunedin International Airport Ltd chief executive John McCall said yesterday’s 10.05am flight was cancelled and flights were being cancelled on a daily basis.
“Very rarely does a day go by without a flight being cancelled. We have had multiple flights cancelled for some reason or another.”
There was no pattern, with morning, afternoon and evening services all being cancelled at the last minute at various times, he said when contacted.
The airport company had been given no official reason for the cancellations, which were having a “huge disruptive impact” on travellers. The Christchurch-Dunedin services made up 47% of the airport’s capacity and to have that disrupted meant significant problems, Mr McCall said.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie urged the airline to find a fast solution to the industrial action, as it was starting to hit business.
Missed international connections were a big issue for Dunedin businesspeople, he said.
To have a last-minute cancellation and a missed international connection was irritating, to say the least, Mr Christie said.
Dunedin travel agents Russell Duff, from VIP International Travel, and Vincent George, of Vincent George House of Travel, confirmed their clients were being disadvantaged, but paid tribute to the Air New Zealand staff at the airport who they said worked hard to rebook people on alternative flights.
Mr Duff said many flights were being cancelled with less than 24 notice. While every athours tempt was made to contact passengers, some would turn up at the airport to find their flights cancelled.
Crew sickness was the standard reason for the cancelled flights.
“This is clearly a ploy by pilots to make a point, but it is causing frustration within the industry.”
Mr George said there was probably no other way for the pilots to get their point across, but it was causing problems for their colleagues in the travel industry.
(cut and paste from the website; spelling and grammar nazi's contact ODT)