More pressure on watch-dogs to say no to Qantas
The National Party’s echoing the concerns of tourist operators and businesses after the United Airlines decision to
abandon New Zealand as a destination.
“This is more clear evidence that the Air New Zealand/Qantas merger should not proceed,” says the Party’s Transport
spokesman Roger Sowry.
“The disappearance of United Airlines from our skies should herald the death knell for the proposed merger.
“I believe there’s no way the Commerce Commission could now approve the deal, if it were truly looking after the
interests of the New Zealand traveller and Kiwi businesses.
“I’m also today repeating the National Party’s demand that the Government refrain from putting more pressure on our
competition watch-dogs to approve the merger,” says Mr Sowry.
“Over the weekend Paul Swain has claimed again that if the Qantas deal doesn’t go ahead, Air New Zealand’s viability
would be put at risk.
“But that’s simple propaganda, there’s no solid evidence that will happen and it’s certainly not based in fact,” Mr
Sowry says.
The National Party’s running a web-site as part of its battle against the partial sale, its address is www.noqantas.co.nz .