Travel Management Company Welcomes Accc Decision

Travel Management Company Welcomes Accc Decision

A major travel management company (TMC), Atlantic Pacific Radius, is welcoming the decision by the ACCC to initially "veto" the proposed Air New Zealand and Qantas alliance as a glimmer of competitive hope.

Neil Tolich of Atlantic Pacific Radius says before today there seemed little hope the proposed alliance would be scuttled in the face of mounting pressure on both sides of the Tasman.

"This is a great decision for the travelling public and we are encouraged by the ACCC's stance - it is a gutsy call and we congratulate its steadfastness in the face of governmental pressure on both sides of the Tasman in favour of the alliance.

"While this is far from being a foregone conclusion, we are pleased that a very real question mark has been placed over the competitive legitimacy of such an agreement.

"The decision supports competition in travel and the travel management business."

Neil Tolich says if the proposed alliance eventually goes ahead it will mean business travellers and the businesses they represent will be the major financial victims.

"The inherent nature of the proposed alliance will eliminate entirely the price tension which currently exists. As the major part of the travel market on principal routes, corporate travellers and their budgets would be hit hardest," he says.

"But for now, we are buoyed by this decision, as it shows sense has started to prevail. If the proposed alliance is consigned to the history books the beneficiaries will be travellers, businesses and the economies on both sides of the Tasman."

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