Air New Zealand has joined the New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association in calling for a ban on powerful hand held lasers, following the sentencing of a man who targeted several aircraft.
Pravikash Chandra, 19, was sentenced to four-and-a-half months' home detention on four charges of endangering transport at Manukau District Court on Friday.
He admitted aiming a laser at the cockpits of three commercial aeroplanes and a police helicopter.
Air New Zealand says current penalties are ineffective because the number of such cases is rising.
The national carrier says laser pointing has the potential to distract pilots, affect their night vision and cause eye damage.
Such an incident during take off and landing could end in a tragic accident.
The airline says a ban on the sale of such lasers would bring New Zealand into line with Australia.
