Air New Zealand Issued 501 Infringement Notices

According to the Australian newspaper, The Advertiser, Air New Zealand has been issued with 501 infringement notices for bringing illegal immigrants into Australia. John Howard reports.

Airlines flying into Australia are bringing record numbers of illegal foreigners in the country with the national carrier, Qantas, bringing more than any other airline.

The airlines are fined under section 229 of the Migration Act with the government collecting A$9.2 million in the 1998-99 year. Up from A$6.6 million in 1997-98.

In the year to November, 2631 illegal immigrants arrived by boat in Australia but this number is dwarfed by the almost 5000 infringement notices issued to airlines such as Qantas, Malaysian Airlines, Air NZ, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines. British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Ansett Airlines were also issued with infringement notices.

Many illegal immigrants were allowed to stay in Australia after questioning.

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