nzer I appreciate that you're entitled to your opinion but let's clarify some facts first.
First of all, let's discuss the definition of the word foreign. The Macquarie dictionary defines it as :. .foreign adj. 1.relating to, characteristic of, or derived from another country or nation; not native or domestic 2. not related to or connected with the thing under consideration
I think it's quite obvious that Australia and New Zealand are indeed foreign to each other. They may have reciprocal trade agreements and immigration policies but the fact remains that they are still different countries, no matter what either government tries to tell you!
When Air NZ purchased Ansett it was a profitable airline. Indeed it was made to appear profitable by RE who kindly sold off non-core assets in order to boost the kitty to prepare the airline for sale. At the time Air NZ was a shareholder and had first rights to purchase remaining shares. Air NZ decided to exercise it's purchasing option (in order to keep Singapore Airlines out - but that's a whole new topic) and purchase the remaining shares. In it's haste to purchase Ansett, Air NZ did not conduct proper due diligence on Ansett thus missed out on seeing the rot that had inevitably set in. Air NZ was barely financial enough to handle it's own affairs let alone those of a fledging bigger-brother.
I'm not sure if you flew Ansett whilst it was under Air NZ's wing (sorry bad pun there) however I had to fly them every day and I must say I was ashamed of the product and what Ansett had become. We had a second-rate service and a second-rate product. I was truly embarrassed.
Air NZ had to off-load Ansett in order to save itself. It had bled Ansett dry and there was nothing more worth taking, Air NZ did not have the funding to absorb the AN losses and had to eventually turn to it's own government to save it. Ansett does not have that luxury.
The saddest part of all this is the employees. I hold no resentment towards Air NZ employees - but I do resent the fact that Air NZ management bit off more than they could chew then tried to blame it on everyone else.
SG
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