Bronte, they wouldn't have bought it if the Oz govt had just let them fly in Oz as the open skies agreement had intended, much the same way as Ansett had been flying in NZ for years before. The Australian govt wouldn't have lied through their teeth in initially saying "come on over we like competition" and then reneging on a deal unless they were worried that the entry of a third domestic operator may have been too much for the other two. More likely they were worried about the effect on Ansett and no doubt would have had pressure exerted from unions and management. It doesn't alter the fact that Air NZ made a hash of things but it helps when a govt sticks to policy. But that's politics. And thanks for pointing out the lack of sexual arousal our pm gives you. At least now there will be proper competition in OZ.