Ansett aborts take-off on new-look domestic service

By KARYN SCHERER

Ansett New Zealand's new image may not be revealed for another fortnight, according to its new buddy Qantas.

Qantas regional manager for New Zealand, Paul Donovan, yesterday confirmed the rebranding was due to be revealed on May 22, but had been delayed while details are sorted out.

It is understood sticking points include negotiations over airline partners and a new airline reservation system operated by Qantas.

The rebranding follows the decision by Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd to sell Ansett New Zealand to private investors.

Qantas already has an agreement to feed passengers on to Ansett New Zealand's domestic routes, and both airlines belong to the same frequent flyer programme

However, Qantas is keen to strengthen links with the airline, following Air New Zealand's tie-up with Singapore Airlines, and its likely takeover of Ansett Australia.

Names that the new owners of Ansett New Zealand are believed to be toying with include Tasman Pacific, Triple Star, South Pacific Airways of New Zealand and Qantas New Zealand.

The travel industry has been abuzz with rumours that the rebranding will see the airlines tails repainted with a red kangaroo, but Mr Donovan denied any decisions had been made.


He said talks had involved issues such as aircraft-leasing arrangements and frequent flyer, code-share and check-in agreements, as well as common passenger lounge use. He confirmed the Golden Wing brand for its lounges would be ditched.

Meanwhile, Qantas has stepped up its number of transtasman flights to put pressure on Air New Zealand. From the end of October, it is introducing an extra 30 services a week from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, taking its transtasman flights up to 200 per week.

Mr Donovan said the extra flights would give it roughly half the transtasman market.