ANZ unveils industry first for unaccompanied minors
Air New Zealand has unveiled an industry first ‘airband’ designed to ease the anxiety of parents when unaccompanied minors take to the skies.
Air NZ has been trialling an electronic wristband embedded with a smart microchip which can be scanned at various stages throughout a journey.
It is for young children aged between five and 11 years old flying solo and is able to trigger text notifications to waiting parents.
“This is the first time this type of technology has been used by an airline anywhere in the world for the purpose of providing caregivers greater peace of mind when their child is travelling alone,” said Air NZ’s general manager for customer experience, Carrie Hurihanganui.
“While our staff always take great care of children travelling solo, we identified that there was an opportunity to enhance the experience for kids while at the same time giving further peace of mind and visibility of their journey,” she said.
Trials conducted over several months have proved a success and the ‘airband’ is now available on all flights.
Until February the service is free, and will then cost $15 per child or $40 per child for international flights.
Air NZ says it is aimed at younger unaccompanied children but can be used for anyone up to the age of 16 years.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports