ABC Net
Posted: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 19:03 AEDT
Administrators say court decision won't compromise Ansett deal
Ansett administrators say a Federal Court decision in Melbourne today does not compromise the deal with Tesna for the sale of the airline.
The Federal Court refused to support the administrators in their decision to keep operating the airline at a loss of about $6 million a week.
Justice Alan Goldberg says it was inappropriate for the court to make an order when the administrators were acting within the law.
Administrator Mark Mentha says it will be business as usual despite the decision, but he says the Tesna sale has to be finalised by the end of the month.
"This uncertainty is not good for the airline, not good for the brand, not good for goodwill," he said.
"Fox-Lew knows that we must get this deal done as quickly as possible."
The Sydney Airports Corporation, the main party holding up the deal, says talks with Tesna over airport leases are nearing completion.
But it says it is not putting any timeline on the negotiations.