Tuesday, 18 May 2004

Opportunities in new air services agreement with China

Significant new opportunities are being created for the airlines of New Zealand and China, Transport Minister Pete Hodgson said today.

New air services arrangements negotiated with China mean New Zealand and Chinese airlines may now operate to and from any points in each country. Previously only two airports in each country were available.

There is also more flexibility provided for the airlines of each country to operate via third countries and beyond each other’s territory.

“Open skies” arrangements have been agreed for the operation of all-cargo services. Cargo aircraft may now operate without any restrictions on routes or the number of flights offered.

Restrictions on the types of aircraft that can be used for passenger services have been removed, effectively doubling the number of seats that can be offered. Restrictions on the number of airlines that may operate services have also been removed.

New code-share opportunities will allow Air New Zealand, for example, to access China in association with its partner airlines from third countries.

Provision has been made for the airlines to use leased aircraft in their operations.

"These new air services arrangements further strengthen the growing trade and economic relationship New Zealand enjoys with China," Mr Hodgson said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>