20 May 2001
Poor Safety Standards Of Small Airlines Could Have Adverse Effect On Tourism
The Rt Hon Winston Peters MP, Leader of New Zealand First, today said that the high fatality rates and poor safety
standards of some smaller airplanes and helicopters in New Zealand needed to be addressed promptly to not only save
lives but, also, to prevent these statistics having a detrimental effect on tourism.
“At a time when the New Zealand Tourism Board is promoting a 10 year plan to increase the number of visitors to our
country over that period all factors which could have a negative impact need to be considered.
“We need more stringent safety standards and auditing procedures to prevent short cuts being taken and safety being
compromised in other ways. We need greater accountability and a restoring of confidence in the safety of our smaller
airlines which largely cater to tourists from within New Zealand and from overseas,” said Mr Peters.
ENDS