Air wars - the cast list

By SCOTT MacLEOD

Qantas New Zealand

The airways turmoil started when this domestic carrier, owned by Tasman Pacific Airlines, went bust in the early hours of Saturday, April 21. Its sudden death stranded passengers, left 1100 people out of work and forced creditors owed up to $60 million to wait for a slice of what is likely to be a very small pie.

Qantas Airways

This Australian airline jumped into the NZ market after the death of its franchise to save its "brand" from the fallout, carrying stranded passengers by Boeing 737 jet on the main trunk between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It slashed its May fares and then confirmed it was here to stay - on the main trunk, at least.

Origin Pacific Airways


This Nelson-based airline is talking to Qantas about providing "feeder" services from smaller centres into cities on the main trunk route, and is poised to double its fleet of airplanes.

Freedom Air

Air New Zealand's no-frills subsidiary started cheap domestic flights on the domestic main trunk on Tuesday in a possible bid to scare Virgin Blue.

Ansett Australia


Another Air NZ subsidiary - but this one is having a tougher time. Ten of its biggest jets were grounded on April 12 after engineers found cracks in the engine mountings on three of them, and another flew eight times with its safety ramps out of action.

Air New Zealand


Stepped in smartly when Qantas NZ collapsed, putting on up to 140 extra flights a week and boosting its market share.

Virgin Blue

The Australia-based airline's flamboyant owner, Sir Richard Branson, is promising to slash fares. But its bid may be scuttled by the fact that Sir Richard is British - meaning his airline is not covered by the open skies agreement with Australia.

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