Media Release: Franchise to Ansett New Zealand

Document date:  Mon 26 Jun 2000
Published:  Mon 26 Jun 2000 00:00:00
Document No:  211421
Document part:  A
Market Flag:  N
Classification: 

QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED                        2000-06-26  ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Sydney                                                        

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Qantas today extended the first ever franchise of its brand to
another airline - Ansett New Zealand.

The newly branded airline will be known as Qantas New Zealand,
operated by Tasman Pacific Airlines of New Zealand. It will offer
Qantas products and services, with aircraft carrying the Qantas
livery and front line staff wearing a Qantas uniform.

A launch date for the new airline will be announced shortly.

Ansett New Zealand Chairman, Mr Ken Cowley, said the deal was a huge
win for the airline and its customers.

"We are thrilled that Qantas has extended to us their first ever
franchise agreement," Mr Cowley said.

"We now have an airline which is majority owned by New Zealanders for
New Zealanders, while at the same time we can introduce and launch
one of the world's strongest airline brands into the country. Through
our affiliation with Qantas, we will be able to offer the benefits of
a global alliance through the oneworld member airlines.

"Having strong alliance partners such as the oneworld family is
extremely important to a small airline such as ourselves and will
bring an enormous amount of muscle to our sales and marketing
operations and what we can offer our customers. Lounge access rights
will improve dramatically and our sales executives will be able to
present clients with just one deal for all international and domestic
travel."

Qantas Chief Executive, James Strong, said the move would strengthen
the airline's presence in the South Pacific region.

"Qantas has been serving the New Zealand market since 1940. Today we
offer more than 160 flights a week between Australia and New Zealand,
as well as providing services between New Zealand and the USA, South
America and Tahiti," Mr Strong said.

"We are delighted we can extend our commitment to flights within New
Zealand, which is the airline's largest market after Australia, and
look forward to having Qantas New Zealand on board," he added.

Following the launch of Qantas New Zealand, the airline will continue
to operate under its current organisational structure and will work
closely with Qantas on areas of co-operation.

The first aircraft to feature the new livery will be unveiled in
July. The fleet will be painted progressively over the rest of the
year.

Commuter flights operated by subsidiary Rex Aviation are in for a
change of style as well. The "Ansett New Zealand Regional" brand will
disappear and these flights will operate under their own brand. This
separate new identity will debut later in the year.

Issue by Qantas Public Affairs (Q2152)

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Qantas Airways                Ansett New Zealand
PUBLIC AFFAIRS                PUBLIC RELATIONS
Belinda de Rome               John Cordery
Phone  61 2 9691 3762         Phone  64 9 5268 366
Fax    61 2 9691 4547         Fax    64 9 5268 406


Further information and media releases can be found at the Qantas 
internet website: www.qantas.com.au