Businessman Pero charters plane for Erebus visit

Hundreds were killed in Antarctica. Photo / NZ Herald

Family and friends of the victims of the Erebus disaster 30 years ago will now have the chance to go to Antarctica to pay their respects, thanks to businessman Mike Pero.

Mr Pero said today he would charter a Boeing 747 in January for 307 people who wished to travel to Antarctica to pay their respects to the victims of the Erebus disaster.

The Air New Zealand McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, Flight 901, crashed into Mount Erebus on 28 November 1979, killing all 257 passengers and crew on board.

The trip would primarily be for family and friends of the Erebus disaster victims, SafeKiwi managing director Mr Pero said.

Tickets will cost between $1400 and $8600, depending on seating preferences.

"The aircraft will not land but will spend a couple of hours in the region.

"The flight will be open to the general public and is planned for Sunday, 31 January."

He said he was moved by the stories of those who had friends and relatives on board.

Air New Zealand is taking a limited number of family members on a memorial flight to Antarctica this Saturday.

"When I saw that only six family members of the victims were getting to go down to commemorate this anniversary, I was moved to do something for them," Mr Pero said.

He said he wanted to help the group of people who still want closure 30 years on.

- NZPA