Qantas expanding in New Zealand

By DANIEL RIORDAN

Qantas is pressing ahead with plans to expand its New Zealand operations.

The airline, which flies four Boeing 737s on the main trunk routes, is advertising for more cabin crew and seven managers.

Qantas spokesman Michael Sharp confirmed the airline had applied for a New Zealand operating certificate to replace the temporary foreign certificate it has used since the collapse of franchise-holder Tasman Pacific early last year. The new certificate, expected to be issued next month, will be under wholly-owned Qantas subsidiary Jetconnect, which will operate the New Zealand business.

Sharp said the airline would not explain its expansion plans until they were finalised.

The airline may be keeping a fallback position for the local market in case its plans to take a stake in Air New Zealand fall through.