Qantas Welcomes Joint Australia-New Zealand Working Party On Aviation

Qantas Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon said yesterday: "We welcome the opportunity, given to us by the governments of Australia and New Zealand, to elaborate on why a partnership between Qantas and Air New Zealand results in the best outcome for aviation competition in our region.

"Our proposal will address specifically the key issues of concern for the New Zealand Government, including all competition issues, protection of Air New Zealand's bilateral landing rights, a guarantee of genuine independence for Air New Zealand, preservation of the Air New Zealand brand and promotion of New Zealand tourism.

"We also welcome the opportunity to reiterate why the Singapore Airlines proposal to exercise significant control over Air New Zealand, Ansett and Ansett International creates a serious imbalance, and is against the interests of long term competition, in this part of the world.

"While there are significant commercial issues involved, implicit in the joint statement issued today is a recognition that the governments of New Zealand and Australia have a strong interest in securing viable, long term competition in our region."