News: V/Blue try for A-340 & 747s
WA:
Virgin's plan for British planes lifts
VIRGIN Blue may be allowed to bring in planes from Britain to help move passengers if the airline agrees to hire and train a substantial number of Ansett staff.
Transport Minister John Anderson said in Perth yesterday that he would look at such a proposal from Virgin Blue.
"That would not be an unreasonable proposal," he said. "We would have a long, hard look at it."
Virgin Blue commercial director David Huttner said on Tuesday that the airline wanted to take Ansett staff and train them but Virgin Blue's 737s were different from the Ansett fleet.
"While we are waiting to get more 737s, Qantas is able to increase its market share," he said.
Mr Huttner said the airline could start flights to Perth if it was allowed to bring in planes from its parent, Virgin Atlantic, on a temporary basis.
Mr Anderson, in Perth to address Skywest Airlines staff, said he would look at any proposal that would include firm undertakings to hire and train Ansett staff, while Virgin Blue used planes from Britain on a very short-term basis.
Virgin Atlantic has been hit by the terrorist attacks in the United States and has 400-seat 747s and 300-seat A340s sitting idle in Britain.
Virgin Blue would like to use the planes until it had more 737s in service which would be flown by former Ansett employees.
The Government has allowed foreign airlines to pick up domestic passengers to help relieve the shortage of seats on a short-term basis.
Qantas is using three 237-seat Boeing 767-300s from Air Canada to operate some international routes, enabling the airline to use more of its planes on domestic services.
Mr Anderson said that if the Government was re-elected, it would look at aviation policy to ensure that competition was maintained.
He told a Chinese Chamber of Commerce meeting that China Eastern Airlines was the most recent party interested in buying Ansett.
He said several groups had expressed an interest and they were in talks with the administrator.