Air New Zealand looks at name change

By DANIEL RIORDAN

Air New Zealand may get a new name.

The idea is one of many sweeping changes Australian chief executive Gary Toomey is considering as he restructures the group created in June when Air NZ bought the half of Ansett Australia it did not already own.

Mr Toomey, who took over the reins this month, was unavailable yesterday but Air NZ spokesman David Beatson said the new boss saw the need for an umbrella brand.

"But he's not going to risk damaging the value of either of the two strong existing brands until he is convinced there's something better around the corner."

Mr Beatson said the group's plethora of sub-brands such as Air Nelson, Jetset Travel and Mount Cook confused customers.

Air NZ became one of the world's top-20 airlines last June when it bought Ansett. Air NZ flies 38 aircraft and Ansett has 61.

Mr Toomey told Australian media at the weekend that the company urgently needed a direction and strategy because it was losing support from corporate customers and its own staff.

Plans to fix the problem included enhancing in-flight services and adding domestic capacity as the airline upgraded its fleet.

New routes for Ansett International - 49 per cent owned by Air NZ - will include the US, Tokyo and possibly London.

The group will seek alliances with its 25 per cent shareholder, Singapore Airlines, in areas such as in-flight entertainment, seating, service, lounges and loyalty schemes.

Mr Toomey said he wanted the Ansett and Air NZ brands to be closely aligned with Singapore Airlines.

* Tell us what you think of Air NZ chief executive Gary Toomey's plan to rebrand the airline group's businesses.

And do you have any suggestions to rename the national carrier? E-mail your suggestions to: scott_macleod@herald.co.nz