Dunne: welcome to the future, it looks like NAC
United Future New Zealand leader, Peter Dunne, today described the proposed Air New Zealand/Qantas co-operative venture
as a black day for New Zealand aviation and the travelling public.
“In Parliament, the Labour Party is alone in supporting this plan which will see the return of monopoly to New Zealand
skies, accompanied by the usual consequences of less service and higher charges. They may call it code-sharing on
domestic routes, but it looks very like the old NAC.
“Anyone who thinks Qantas is in this deal for the benefit of New Zealanders hasn’t been paying attention. That airline
has been Air New Zealand’s most ferocious competitor for decades; it stands accused of predatory anti-competitive
practices on both sides of the Tasman and would like nothing better than to see Air New Zealand reduced to a bit player
in the Asia-Pacific market.
“The only assurances New Zealanders presently have that fares will remain competitive are PR spin, and that is not
enough.
“Many will consider Qantas has succeeded at last in its 60 year quest to neuter New Zealand’s international aviation
aspirations. It will be an uphill battle for them to convince the Commerce Commission otherwise,” said Mr Dunne.