RNZ has reported that in a significant ruling highlighting the ongoing tension between workplace safety and individual rights, a group of Air New Zealand flight attendants has lost their legal challenge against mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations.
The attendants had argued that compulsory inoculation violated their personal freedoms and right to choose, but the court sided with the airline, stressing the importance of passenger safety and public health in the aviation sector.
The ruling emphasized that flight crews, given their international exposure and constant interaction with travelers, have a responsibility to minimize health risks.
Air New Zealand welcomed the decision, stating that vaccination requirements were part of broader safety measures designed to restore passenger confidence and ensure smooth global operations. “Our top priority remains the health of our staff and customers,” an airline spokesperson told RNZ.
However, unions expressed disappointment, warning that the ruling could set a precedent that pressures employees into medical decisions they may not fully support.
Labor experts, on the other hand, noted that the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic justified stricter workplace health protocols.
The verdict mirrors the wider global debate about balancing personal freedom with collective safety in the wake of Covid-19. For now, the skies remain open for vaccinated crew only — leaving some Air New Zealand attendants grounded not by choice, but by policy.