10 Jan 2024

Visa processing times blocking international student pilots

From Morning Report, 8:49 am on 10 January 2024

The aviation industry says international student pilots are looking elsewhere to do their flight training due to New Zealand's visa processing times.

Aviation New Zealand says visas can take up to sixty days to be processed, driving students to Australia and other countries.

Immigration New Zealand has declined to comment, saying they have engaged extensively with Aviation New Zealand and will continue to do so.

Aviation New Zealand chief executive, Simon Wallace, spoke with Charlotte Cook.