Wellington, Oct 28 (TIWN) The air transport industry in New Zealand employed 35 per cent fewer people in February 2021 compared with February 2020, when the Covid-related travel restrictions were not yet in place, the country's statistics department Stats NZ said on Thursday.

This was the biggest percentage drop in employment for any industry at subdivision level in the year to February 2021.  "The country's international borders remained closed for quarantine-free travel for most of this period, while domestic air travel was severely affected by lockdowns, regional travel restrictions, and the lack of international tourists," statistical business register manager Stuart Pitts said.  At February 2021, there were 370 enterprises engaged in air transport --a drop of 10 from February 2020.  The total number of enterprises in New Zealand edged up 0.5 percent to 562,520 during the year to February 2021, while the number of employees fell 0.4 percent to 2.31 million.