Woman accuses Air New Zealand of discrimination claiming they refused to hire her as a flight attendant because she's transgender
- Lenon Wakuwa has been rejected as a flight attendant by Air NZ three times
- She was denied the role despite having qualifications in flight attending
- Air New Zealand claim they rejected her because she doesn't have the right skills
A woman has accused Air New Zealand of refusing her 'lifelong dream' of becoming a flight attendant because she's transgender.
Lenon Wakuwa, 28, from Auckland, New Zealand, says the airline has declined her three times despite having qualifications in flight attending and aviation.
The airline claimed she did not have the right skills acquired for a role in the cabin crew, and said their decisions had nothing to do with her gender identity.
Lenon Wakuwa (pictured) says she has been rejected to work as a flight attendant by Air New Zealand three times, claiming it's because she's transgender
'I am more than qualified for the position in my view, and this has led to a conclusion that they are not hiring me mainly because I am transsexual,' Ms Wakuwa told the New Zealand Herald.
After moving from Zimbabwe to New Zealand in 2007, Ms Wakuwa said that with each rejection, she worked harder to get accepted.
'I recently graduated with a Certificate in Tourism, Aviation, and Flight Attending level 4, but nothing I do seems to be good enough for Air New Zealand,' she said.
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Ms Wakuwa has had a range of customer experience, working in hospitality for five years and as a caregiver for two.
She claimed that Air New Zealand's policies for the role of a flight attendant only required one year of customer service, which she had exceeded.
'On top of that, I also have a St John's first aid certificate, a Hobbiton certificate and also a degree in fashion design and technology, so there is no way I am not qualified.'
Ms Wakuwa said that despite having various qualifications and experience she was denied by the airline for not having the right set of skills
She said she wanted to 'give back' to New Zealand, which she now sees as her second home through working for the prominent airline.
The 28-year-old said she spoke to the airline who claimed her rejection was because she didn't have the right skills or experience.
'This candidate was declined on this occasion and previous occasions due to not meeting the level of skills and experience required for the role,' a spokesperson for Air New Zealand told Daily Mail Australia.
The spokesperson said the airline prided itself on diversity and inclusion, having a number of transgender employees, including those working in the cabin crew.
'Diversity and inclusion is hugely important to Air New Zealand as an organisation.
'We’re proud to have gained Rainbow Tick accreditation, which deems our workplace a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for people of diverse gender identity and sexual orientations,' the spokesperson said.
Air New Zealand (pictured) said the company declined Ms Wakuwa because she didn't have the right experience and that it had nothing to do with her gender identity
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