Coronavirus: Flight from Wuhan to land in Auckland on Wednesday afternoon
Tuesday, 4 February 2020
The flight bringing home New Zealanders from China during the Coronavirus outbreak is expected to land in Auckland on Wednesday afternoon.
The Air New Zealand flight has just arrived in Hong Kong and is expected to depart around midnight on Tuesday.
The flight, NZ1942, will land at Auckland International Airport around 4.15pm and will have a 20-person team including five pilots and 11 cabin crew, medical and engineering staff.
New Zealand, Australian and Pacific Island citizens on the flight will be quarantined for 14 days at a military facility on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, north of Auckland.
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Novel coronavirus, which is believed to have originated from a live animal market in Wuhan, China, has infected nearly 15,000 people in China, and killed about 300 people. The first death outside China has occurred, in the Philippines.
Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and standards officer Captain David Morgan said the airline was pleased to support the government in getting Kiwis and other foreign nationals out of Wuhan.
'The Air New Zealand crew who have volunteered for this flight are amongst some of our most experienced pilots and crew. They will be under the command of a captain who has more than 30 years experience with the airline.'
Morgan said the wellbeing of passengers and crew on board the flight was a top priority and infection control measures had been implemented with guidance from the Ministry of Health and the airline's chief medical officer.
'There will be minimal interaction between cabin crew and passengers, and pilots will not come into contact with passengers. Crew will wear appropriate personal protection gear while assisting passengers during the service.'
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade previously said passengers on board the flight would be charged $500.
Before passengers get on the flight in Wuhan, they will be required to go through clearance processes at the border.
This includes pre-screening to make sure anyone who is displaying flu-like symptoms does not get on the plane.
Once passengers on the flight arrive in Auckland, they will disembark to a holding area and go through normal Customs procedures.
The union for aviation workers said it was closely monitoring the safety of those who would be on board the flight.
This included cabin crew, ground crew, cleaners and caterers.
'Union workplace leaders are focussed on ensuring New Zealand aviation safety standards are maintained so that the flight can happen as soon as it gets clearance,' E tū said.
'Both E tū and Air New Zealand will work productively to deal with any unexpected operational changes that might arise. We look forward to the flight completing its mission and returning to New Zealand tomorrow night.'
The military base where the evacuees will be housed for two weeks underwent a makeover in 2010.
New facilities at the Navy base replaced 1940s-era buildings at the site.
A defence source said the upgrade was a big improvement and the facility is now palatial – as military installations go.
'It's sweet as up there. It's very, very flash.'
The facility hosts about 16 buildings, isolated at the end of the Peninsula, and separated from the Army Bay community near Shakespear Regional Park.
The source estimated the mess could hold about 200 people.
Accommodation at the facility numbers about 150 beds, not including staff accommodation, the source said.