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Paralympics New Zealand Team to Arafura Games

Friday 15 April 2011, 8:25AM

By Dave Worsley

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A team of 16 New Zealanders are heading to Darwin next month to compete at the Arafura Games.

The Paralympics New Zealand team comprises of 12 Athletes (including eight wheelchair users) and four team support staff.

Earlier this week Paralympics New Zealand has been advised that due to Jetstar policy, only two wheelchair athletes can travel per flight.

Paralympics New Zealand CEO Fiona Pickering, says “This has meant that we have had to seek alternative travel options for the remainder of the athletes. We are pleased to confirm that Qantas have accepted all the remaining team members, including the six wheelchair users, on another flight option”.

“We send athletes and teams to over 30 international and domestic events per year and this policy will restrict us from utilising the services of Jetstar for our teams as often we have more than two athletes or support staff who use wheelchairs”.

Jetstar CEO David Hall made contact with Fiona Pickering following her appearance and sharing of her organisations experience on TVNZ breakfast show this morning. David apologised to Paralympics New Zealand and the New Zealand team members for their recent experience.

Hall confirmed that Jetstar’s policy is to allow up to two passengers requiring wheelchair assistance on each flight. He said Jetstar liaises with disability groups and disability advocates through the Aviation Access Working Group in Australia in relation to its policies, procedures and training, and would now be seeking to extend its consultation to include Paralympics New Zealand.