A320 Accident Update

French authorities have confirmed to Air New Zealand that they still do not know the cause of the A320 accident off the coast of France in November.

Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says he met with Chief Prosecutor Jean-Pierre Dreno overnight to seek an update on the investigation.

“He made it quite clear to me that there are several more weeks of detailed analysis required before the investigating team has a clear idea of a likely cause. He reiterated his comments over the weekend that investigators are clear on the flight path and the fact that power was applied to the aircraft’s engines but how or why is not known at this stage, and that he is concerned by speculation fuelled by media reports,” Mr Fyfe says.

The remains of four of the five New Zealanders lost in the accident are currently on their way home accompanied by some family members and Mr Fyfe.

They will arrive in Auckland on NZ38 at around 11am tomorrow (NZ time). Once all other passengers have disembarked the Boeing 747-400, the aircraft with the families and remains of the lost men will be towed to an Air New Zealand hangar to be welcomed home by family, friends and colleagues in a private ceremony.