regulators close to decision on air nz-virgin , page-7

From The Australian..


AIR New Zealand and Virgin Blue are hopeful there will be a decision on their trans-Tasman alliance later this week.

And both airlines are ready to move quickly if they get the green light.

Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe expressed the hope as his counterpart at Virgin Blue, John Borghetti, mixed with Star Alliance executives in Queenstown, NZ, and would not rule out joining the giant alliance.

"There's a chance for Virgin Blue to look at everything," he said. "We've got a lot on at the moment and we're evaluating everything, and I mean everything, and certainly as we go forward we'll see where that leads."

Virgin is attempting to forge individual alliances with Air NZ and Delta and has a provisional green light to join forces with Etihad. Mr Borghetti has also expressed interest in Asian alliances and Star has major players such as Thai, Singapore Airlines and ANA in its ranks.


Mr Fyfe said he had invited Mr Borghetti to the meeting to give him a chance to meet other Star chief executives. He noted that Virgin was not aligned to any alliance and had not announced any plans to become aligned.

But he said the trans-Tasman alliance would also present opportunities for other Star members.

Mr Fyfe said the ACCC had to make a decision by December 20 and usually reviewed its applications on a Wednesday.

"So we're hopeful that sometime later this week we're likely to hear the ACCC's decision," he said.


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/air-new-zealand-and-virgin-blue-wait-for-nod/story-e6frg95x-1225970526007