Vic: Ansett chief hopes plane back in air tomorrow

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2001
Vic: Ansett chief hopes plane back in air tomorrow

By Darrin Barnett

MELBOURNE, April 18 AAP - Ansett hopes to have at least one of its grounded 767-200
fleet back in the air tomorrow, its chief executive Gary Toomey said today.

Mr Toomey said inspections by Australia's air safety watchdog on the 10 767 aircraft
had begun last Thursday and he hoped the first of the planes would be cleared to fly by
tomorrow.

He revealed the safety crisis, which began with the grounding of Ansett's fleet last
Thursday, was costing the company up to $NZ300,000 ($A244,240) a day.

"I would like to think it's tomorrow, but it's really in the hands of CASA (Civil Aviation
Safety Authority)," he said in Melbourne on his return from a meeting with federal transport
minister John Anderson and CASA director Mick Toller in Canberra.

Mr Toomey said he was hopeful the troubled airline could come to an agreement with
CASA to avert Friday's deadline that could see it lose its operating licence.

He said cooperation with CASA was the key to averting a "show-cause" notice planned
for issue by the aviation watchdog this Friday, and talks with the minister and CASA had
been aimed at keeping Ansett in the air.

"We advised of our confidence and our determination to work with Mr Toller, and CASA
to see all issues of concern resolved before the Friday deadline for CASA's show cause
notice," he said.

"We welcomed Mr Toller's assurance that CASA will work through these proposals cooperatively
with us in an effort to satisfy their concerns and avert the need for any more serious
steps by the regulator."

Ansett wants CASA to allow its fleet of 10 Boeing 767-200 aircraft back in the air.

CASA has said Ansett would be given two weeks from this Friday to prove its maintenance
systems were up to standard, or the airline could lose its operating licence.

Mr Toomey said sales and reservations for the troubled airline had not been so badly
affected as was first thought, and its daily losses were less than expected.

"The immediate financial implications are, up to today, around $NZ2.5 million ($A2.04
million)," he said.

"The daily cost is actually slightly less than I mentioned yesterday ... effectively
the daily cost is about $NZ200,000 ($A162,82) to $NZ300,000,($A244,240)" he said.

Mr Toomey said there was little doubt long term damage had been done to the reputation
of the airline.

"I don't think the short term implications are significant at all, the issue is obviously
in terms of the reputation of the business, but the feedback I've received today from
our reservations and sales people is that by and large there is very strong support for
the airline.

"I think a lot of our customers are waiting to see what develops through the next few
days, but at this stage we're not seeing any loss of bookings.

"I would never suggest that our reputation hasn't been tarnished, and I would emphasise
again we apologise to all of our passengers who may have been affected."

Meanwhile the union covering most of Ansett's aircraft maintenance staff has defended
the quality of their work.

The Australian Workers Union (AWU) today accused the media of "excessive Ansett bashing"

which was creating a public perception that maintenance work on Ansett aircraft was less
than top quality.

And Ansett pilots hit out at CASA's grounding of the airline's 10 767-200s, describing
the move as being made with "impetuous haste".

In a written statement, pilots said they were satisfied with the airline's commitment
to high safety standards.

MORE db/clr/mg/sb

KEYWORD: ANSETT TOOMEY NIGHTLEAD

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.