Dunne: welcome to the future, it looks like NAC

United Future New Zealand leader, Peter Dunne, today described the proposed Air New Zealand/Qantas co-operative venture as a black day for New Zealand aviation and the travelling public.

“In Parliament, the Labour Party is alone in supporting this plan which will see the return of monopoly to New Zealand skies, accompanied by the usual consequences of less service and higher charges. They may call it code-sharing on domestic routes, but it looks very like the old NAC.

“Anyone who thinks Qantas is in this deal for the benefit of New Zealanders hasn’t been paying attention. That airline has been Air New Zealand’s most ferocious competitor for decades; it stands accused of predatory anti-competitive practices on both sides of the Tasman and would like nothing better than to see Air New Zealand reduced to a bit player in the Asia-Pacific market.

“The only assurances New Zealanders presently have that fares will remain competitive are PR spin, and that is not enough.

“Many will consider Qantas has succeeded at last in its 60 year quest to neuter New Zealand’s international aviation aspirations. It will be an uphill battle for them to convince the Commerce Commission otherwise,” said Mr Dunne.

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