Origin talks turkey with Virgin Blue

By IRENE CHAPPLE and NZPA

Origin Pacific owner Robert Inglis yesterday said he was talking with Virgin Blue, which this week announced it would launch a transtasman service in February between Christchurch and Brisbane.

Nelson-based Origin Pacific, which has about 5 per cent of the domestic market, is a Qantas code share partner but the agreement is not exclusive.

The airline was exploring possibilities with Virgin and others but "we are certainly not turning our back on Qantas".

Inglis said there were "a lot of exciting opportunities" for Origin after the decision last week by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to oppose the proposed alliance between Qantas and Air New Zealand, pending a decision by the New Zealand Commerce Commission on the issue.

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"These are very intriguing times," he said. Virgin Blue's intention to make Christchurch its New Zealand base was a positive step for Origin, which had developed the city as its main hub.

"We are able to provide a feeder service from there."