Govt to fly Erebus relatives to Antarctica

The memorial to the more than 250 New Zealanders who lost their lives on the slopes of Mt Erebus. Photo / Supplied

The Government will fly up to 80 relatives of the victims of the Mt Erebus crash to Antarctica this summer, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced this morning.

The 1979 Air New Zealand DC10 crash killed 257 people, making it New Zealand's worst-ever air disaster.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the crash on November 28 last year, Air New Zealand flew six relatives of crash victims to Antarctica but poor weather prevented them from reaching the crash site.

Other relatives were upset that they were not also given the chance to visit Mt Erebus.

However, a man who lost his mother in the crash said he has no intention of visiting the site.

Eudora Madgwick - also known as Dolly - was killed in the Erebus crash. Her son Bryan said he would not be travelling to Antarctica.

"All you will be able to see is the wreckage - the ruins of the plane - a devastated scene covered by snow," Mr Madgwick said.

He said people who lost family members in the disaster have different ways of dealing with their loss.

Mr McCully today said it was felt "one final opportunity to visit Antarctica should be extended to family members of those who died".

"As a result, the Government has been working with Air New Zealand to provide such an opportunity through a Royal New Zealand Air Force 757 flight to Pegasus Airfield near Scott Base," he said.

"As the crash site on Mt Erebus is difficult to get to, there will be a remembrance ceremony at the Scott Base flagpole. Weather permitting, participants will be able to view Mt Erebus from there.

Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe said the airline would be conducting an independent ballot for seats on the flight, which would be open to immediate family representatives of passengers, cabin crew, and flight crew.

Mr Fyfe said a large number of operational details for the flight were still being worked through.

"There are enormous logistical challenges to overcome in organising a group visit of such a significant size and we are greatly appreciative of the support of a large number of parties in helping to make this trip a reality," he said.

"Many of the families who lost loved ones in the Erebus tragedy have reiterated to me how important it is to them to have the opportunity to travel to Antarctica and we hope this trip, in some small way, will help the families who have grieved their losses for more than 30 years."

Christchurch businessman Mike Pero had planned to charter a flight in January for the family members, but Air New Zealand accused him of cashing in on the anniversary of the tragedy.

Mr Pero's flight was cancelled when Qantas pulled out.

Prime Minister John Key said at the time he believed the relatives deserved the opportunity to go and the Government could play a role in getting them there.

Today Mr McCully said the Government's flight would offer families closure.

"This event will be an important final milestone for the Mt Erebus disaster, and will offer remaining family members to achieve a degree of closure to an event that was, and still is, keenly felt by the nation."

- NZHERALD STAFF with NZPA