I just read on the newswires that Mike Pero is chartering a B747 for an Erebus memorial flight in late January. Claims it's a non-commercial venture.

Given that air nz is only allowing a small number of family members to travel, im suprised they didnt come up with the idea, as someone who lost someone in the crash i would love to go on the flight mr pero is organising, the prices look similar to the prices qantas charge.

Well some one is not happy.

Air NZ slams Mike Pero Erebus flight | ONE NEWS News (http://tvnz.co.nz/erebus-news/air-nz-slams-pero-erebus-flight-plan-3192030)

Air NZ slams Pero Erebus flight plan

There is a major stoush brewing as New Zealand gets ready to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the country's worst air disaster.

Air New Zealand has released a scathing statement after learning of plans by mortgage broker Mike Pero, to charter a flight to Mt Erebus .

Pero announced on Wednesday that he would charter a Boeing 747 in January for 307 people who wished to travel to Antarctica to pay their respects.

The Air New Zealand DC-10, Flight 901, crashed into Mount Erebus on November 28, 1979, killing all 257 passengers and crew.

Air New Zealand said that they were "deeply disturbed" by what they say, appears to be a PR stunt by Pero.

Air New Zealand say Pero is using the tragedy's 30th anniversary for commercial gain and that his announcement is "nothing more than commercial opportunism of the lowest kind and deeply disrespectful."

The company said Pero did not discuss his plans with chief executive Rob Fyfe or the team managing the Erebus anniversary trip.

Air NZ said Pero released his media release 20 minutes after letting media know his plans.

"Mr Pero's timing, and lack of consultation leading up to this announcement, has led many people to question whether he is opportunistically using the media and public interest in this anniversary and the emotions of families affected by this tragedy to promote this commercial venture."

Air New Zealand have been working closely with the families of those lost in the Erebus tragedy over the past few months leading up to the memorial flight to Antarctica this Saturday.

The airline says Pero could not guarantee a flight over Mt Erebus as weather conditions were extremely changeable.

Pero said he was "deeply disappointed and hurt" by Air NZ's comments.

"Somewhere in the airline something has been misconstrued."

He said he had spoken with the company about his proposal in the last few days.

"It was a pleasant conversation and there was absolutely no suggestion that it was distasteful or disrespectful. In fact I suggested they may like to consider having representation on the flight."

Pero said careful consideration had been given to the trip.

"If I have offended anyone please accept this as my most sincere apologies - I was just trying to help. "So far as commercial gain goes, I'd happily make all nett proceeds payable back to Air New Zealand's own charity - Koru Care.

"PR stunt? Hardly - I don't need the publicity, I'm not an airline and I don't ever want to be one. I'd prefer Air New Zealand take this role as I'm busy in other areas - reality is it's probably very difficult for the airline to be seen operating in the region again."

Pero said he was "totally bewildered" as to why they (Air NZ) would respond as they have.

"I'm sure there will be a logical explanation by Air New Zealand and I would happily work with them to get through this one."

Pero says he was moved by the stories of those who had friends and relatives on board and he wanted to help people who still needed closure.

The trip would primarily be for family and friends of the Erebus disaster victims, he says.

"When I saw that only six family members of the victims were getting to go down to commemorate this anniversary, I was moved to do something for them," Pero says.

Tickets will cost between $1400 and $8600, depending on seating preferences.

"The aircraft will not land but will spend a couple of hours in the region," he said

I'm not an airline and I don't ever want to be one

Um......Origin Pacific:confused:

So let me get this straight Air NZ.
Mike Pero's flight is a PR stunt?
What does that make your apology to the families then?

Pero should stick to flogging mortgages.

Failed F/O with Air Nelson if I remember correctly, then a major shareholder in Origin Pacific (which failed shortly thereafter), and then bought into Pacific Simulators (which also failed shortly thereafter).

It used to be amusing watching him running a racing team and being a major sponsor in the NZ V8's, apparently just so that he could run around at the back of the field and pretend to be a racing driver.

Way too much money for his own good... this flight may not be a publicity stunt, but it was extremely poorly thought out and handled.

Pero should stick to flogging mortgages.

It used to be amusing watching him running a racing team and being a major sponsor in the NZ V8's, apparently just so that he could run around at the back of the field and pretend to be a racing driver.

Way too much money for his own good... this flight may not be a publicity stunt, but it was extremely poorly thought out and handled.

Gee if you thought sitting in the stands was amusing, do you reckon driving one might be a hoot? I know where I'd rather be sitting.

seriously remoak, if we cut all the poppies where do you think the jobs and value creation would come from??

Agree.
The guy was just trying to help, until the CEO of the Year got his nose out of joint.
Another flight on the day just means less publicity for Air NZ's little jaunt.
That's why they're angry.

Still pi$$ed off at the NZ Aviation Industry I see remoak.....

There's not much point in job creation if the jobs you create cease to exist shortly thereafter. It's nothing to do with tall poppies, some people do this stuff extraordinarily well, but Pero's recent track record has been anything but. At some point you have to differentiate between clever businessmen and lucky businessmen.

And Pero has pretty much nothing to do with the NZ aviation industry any more, so no, no particular issue with the NZ aviation industry, other than it's intensely parochial nature and utter inability to follow international trends in safety and regulation. But hey, I learned to live with that years ago. It's just that I'll call it what it is, which I know upsets some of you sensitive souls...

Agree.
The guy was just trying to help, until the CEO of the Year got his nose out of joint.
Another flight on the day just means less publicity for Air NZ's little jaunt.
That's why they're angry.

Charging upwards of $8000 a seat is not my idea of help. Had he announced this Charter Flight any other week of the year I suspect you would get a very different response from Air New Zealand but 3 days before the Erebus anniversary....come on :bored:

When in the last 30 years, other than now, have the families of the
victims been given an opportunity to visit or even view the crash site. Seems everyone but, appears to have been.

I would be interested to know the number of reporters, MP's,management, authors, photograhers are down there this time with the 6 family members.

So, there is a cost. Better than never having an opportunity at all.

:hmm:

I would be interested to know the number of reporters, MP's,management, authors, photograhers are down there this time with the 6 family members.


So few I could name them all. The official party consists of ten. Two from TVNZ (one reporter, one cameraman) who flew earlier in the week and the eight who went today (six relatives, the Reverend and David Morgan from Air New Zealand).

Typical Kiwis cutting down a bloke that puts his head up to help... non-profit!
The home town airline- still tax-payer owned, was shown up for it's cheap publicity (which they're maximising!) and lack of service ...so it goes the jugular with the help of the "tall-poppy shredding" Kiwi media.
F#@<hidden> get a grip and grow up you guys.
No wonder you're still way behind and Tassie has a better standard of living, CPI and GDP than you!:hmm:

Nothing Pero does is ever "non-profit", he always has an angle...

That may be true Remoak but I know any profit from it was to go to a charity he named on NZ Radio.

Not wanting to high-jack a thread elsewhere, in which I was slagged by one Kiwi as being uninformed in my comments on this topic here.
billyt: Just uninformed comment from him(Chocks) thats all.
I am definitely the opposite champ and have had direct dealings, so sorry you can't handle what I say and keep eating up all the pro- Air'Bro "spin" the NZ media are so good at.:)

Nothing Pero does is ever "non-profit", he always has an angle

Same could be said for AirNZ.

Why didn't AirNZ put on a special flight themselves in one of the spare 400s that is sitting at AKL?

Isint it amasing that Air NZ cared squat about the families of thoses lost, until the 30th anniversary of Erebus happened to coincide with the anniversary of Perpignon, and then they developed a social conscience ? After 29 years of ignoring every single memorial of the victims ? PLEASE ! They developed a media opportunity is all, and they got pissed when Mike Pero stepped on their "ownership" of this tragedy.

Air NZ should just be ashamed of themselves. Well done Pero for at least giving the families an opportunity to visit the site - even if from the air. Something Air NZ who created the tragedy never thought to do. And sure the flight was going to be expensive. Air Travel is. But as stated he was not going to make acent profit from it.