Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand and Regional Express have teamed up to launch a new industry lobby group called Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ).
In a joint statement, the four carriers say that the group will help to contribute on policy issues affecting travelers in Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on airports, taxation, infrastructure access and regulatory reform.
Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Graeme Samuel has been appointed as the chairman of A4ANZ, and each of the airlines will appoint a board member. A chief executive will also be appointed in the coming months.
Virgin’s Tigerair Australia and Qantas’s Jetstar will also participate in A4ANZ.
Airport infrastructure and charge issues appear to be a large part of the group’s initial focus, with Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon, noting that airlines in the region are constrained by “a legacy of under investment and over recovery at key airports.”
“Airport fees and charges continue to increase while airlines are offering fares at levels significantly cheaper than they were over a decade ago,” says Qantas chief Alan Joyce. “A4ANZ’s goal is to achieve regulatory reform that will promote a competitive and sustainable airline industry in the interests of Australian and New Zealand travellers.”
Similarly, Virgin chief executive John Borghetti also says that is was “absolutely critical that airports operate efficiently and that investment in infrastructure benefits travellers.”
Source: Cirium Dashboard
