Ansett decision due soon

Some of the former Air New Zealand executives threatened with legal action over the collapse of Ansett and its Traveland travel agency subsidiary should learn this week if they will be exempt from action taken by Australia's Travel Compensation Fund.

The fund, a safety net set up by legislation, compensates clients who suffer losses when a travel agent fails to provide travel arrangements that have been paid for.

Counsel for the fund allege Ansett and its subsidiary failed to take adequate steps to meet obligations to clients for money entrusted to them before the airline's collapse last year.

The fund, which has received more than 11,000 claims, totalling about $A14 million ($16.47 million), started legal proceedings in March.

The New South Wales Supreme Court has told the fund's lawyers they have until Friday to file further test cases.

- NZPA