Air NZ must dump negative attitude

Air New Zealand needs to adopt a positive attitude to its future, or it might as well consign itself to the rubbish bin now, Green Party Co-leader Rod Donald said today.

"Air New Zealand and the Government must think positively about our national carrier and have faith in its future, or we will lose it," Mr Donald said.

A Sunday Star-Times article today has Air New Zealand managing director Ralph Norris saying Air New Zealand will not survive if it does not pursue an alliance with Qantas.

"We don't need that kind of negative talk," Mr Donald said. "I'm fed up with Ralph Norris and Michael Cullen bleating on that Qantas will destroy Air New Zealand if it's not allowed to take over control of our airline.

"We would never succeed at anything, especially in the sporting arena, if we always adopted a defeatist attitude towards our larger competitors.

"It's time Air New Zealand followed the example of our national sports teams who take on the big guys all the time and repeatedly show they can hold their own on the world stage," Mr Donald said.

"In the same way the All Blacks, Silver Ferns and every other national side depends on the support of New Zealanders to succeed, we urge Kiwis to show the same loyalty to their national airline.

"After all, we own it. When choosing who to fly with, just remember the cheapest ticket today is not always the best deal in the longer-term. There's a lot at stake if we lose our flag carrier," Mr Donald said.

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