Speed not the issue for future of Air NZ

“Claims by Air New Zealand CEO Ralph Norris that alliance talks with Qantas have dragged on for too long and should be resolved quickly are curious,” says National’s Associate Transport spokesman John Key.

“The speed of talks between two commercial organisations is a matter only for them to resolve, and if he wants them to go faster he should get on the phone to Geoff Dixon CEO of Qantas and sort it out.

“If, however, by making this statement he is referring to the Government’s role as the majority shareholder, then it is about time the Government stopped pretending they know nothing about a potential link up with Qantas, and opened the matter up for the intense public scrutiny its deserves.

“Selling our National carrier to its major competitor, at a long-term cost to all consumers, is not something that should be sped up, quite the opposite.

“We need to take a good hard look at the details before we confine another critical piece of New Zealand infrastructure to monopoly status,” said Mr Key.

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