"Melbourne Age" B/News
Don't blame us: Sydney airport
Difficulties in securing the Sydney airport lease agreement could not be blamed for the collapse of the sale of Ansett to Tesna, the airport corporation said today.
Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) announced late yesterday it had formally offered Tesna a lease under the arrangements agreed to in principal on February 14.
In a statement issued this morning, Tesna blamed issues principally related to third parties.
The Sydney airport lease in particular was regarded as a major stumbling block to the sale of Ansett to Tesna, the company founded by Mr Lew and Mr Fox.
But SACL spokesman Peter Gibbs said the airport corporation wanted Ansett to fly again.
"Any criticism that anyone would like to throw at the corporation I really think is quite unfair because we were never, nor are we now a barrier to the sale of Ansett to Tesna,'' he told ABC Radio.
"We are an airport. Our clear intent was to get Ansett back in the air again and for passengers to fly and enjoy the benefits of a competitive aviation market.
"It really is a sad day for the whole industry."
Mr Gibbs said it was too early to speculate on what could happen with the Ansett terminal lease.
And he refused to be drawn on whether Virgin Blue or Qantas would take over the terminal.