Qantas NZ plan anger Aussie unions

Auckland could be the site of a new multi-million dollar aircraft maintenance base.

Qantas is quitting its present site at Sydney Airport to make way for expansions to the domestic terminal.

Qantas said Auckland is being considered, along with Brisbane and Melbourne, for the $75 million complex to service its 36-strong fleet of Boeing 767s.

The airline said the facility at Sydney is no longer large enough.

But unions in Australia are angry that a New Zealand site is being considered because it could result in further job losses for local staff.

- IRN