In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, Air New Zealand has brought in larger aircraft to get students to Dunedin in time for Orientation Week, a relieved Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) president Quintin Jane (22) said.
With 85% of Otago students coming from outside Dunedin, the deadly storm also raised concerns about whether the academic year and the annual festivities preceding the start of lectures would go ahead as scheduled.
Mr Jane said he was now sure Ori’23 - the first O Week since the Covid pandemic - would proceed as planned on Monday.
"It was nerve-wracking, because we were excited to get back to what Ori is supposed to be," Mr Jane said.
"But I’m now feeling more confident than earlier this week."
That confidence came from the steps Air New Zealand has taken.
Dunedin Airport general manager business development Megan Crawford confirmed the airline had used A321 aircraft for flights to Dunedin for four days, ending tomorrow.
"Air New Zealand have been amazing," Ms Crawford said.
"They knew they needed to get students down here and ... they’ve managed to find aircraft to do that."
Passenger arrivals in Dunedin would be about 70% higher than usual across the four days.
A University of Otago spokesman said no delay was expected to the start of the academic year.
"We are aware of a small number of students whose plans have had to change and our focus is on supporting and working with them," the spokesman said.
O Week runs from Monday to Sunday.
Formal lectures begin on Monday, February 27.
