Airline chief bullish on talks

By DANIEL RIORDAN

Air New Zealand chief executive Gary Toomey described his talks with Government officials yesterday as "positive" and said he would meet Transport Minister Mark Gosche on Friday.

Air NZ is asking the Government to lift foreign airline ownership limits to allow 25 per cent shareholder Singapore Airlines to raise its stake.

Mr Toomey said Transport Secretary Alastair Bisley and Treasury Secretary Alan Bollard had asked for more information, which the airline undertook to provide.

"It was certainly a very productive meeting. They're quite charming people."

Mr Toomey also met separately Cameron & Co, the Wellington investment bank which is advising Treasury on the proposal.

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