Air New Zealand is changing its cockpit rules in line with other international airlines after the Germanwings crash in France.

It comes after French prosecutors said the co-pilot of Germanwings flight 9525 “intentionally” crashed the jet into the side of a mountain in the French Alps earlier this week.

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Authorities say recordings from inside the cockpit show Andreas Lubitz initiated the plane’s descent while alone at the controls, refusing to open the locked cockpit door for the pilot, who was believed to have gone to the toilet.

There was no immediate clue as to the motive.

The revelations have prompted airlines around the world to apply a rule requiring two crew members to be in the cockpit if one of the pilots leaves for any reason.

On Friday Air New Zealand chief flight operations and safety officer Captain David Morgan said it would make the same changes to its procedures effective immediately.

“Following the Germanwings accident earlier this week and in line with moves being made by some other international carriers, Air New Zealand has reviewed and updated its flight deck procedures,” he said.

“If one of the two pilots operating the flight needs to leave the cockpit for a short time, a crew member will be required to enter the cockpit in their place.”

Mr Morgan said at least two crew members will be on the flight deck at all times.

“The safety of our customers, staff and aircraft is paramount and non-negotiable and this procedural change will further strengthen our protocols and mitigate any risk posed by one pilot becoming incapacitated while operating an aircraft,” he said in a statement.