'Options open' on expanding Aust operations: Singapore Airlines
ABC Online.
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Singapore Airlines says it is keeping its options open on growing its Australian operations but is not confirming a report that it is interested in reviving Ansett.
A leading industry analyst says Singapore Airlines is likely to this month consider a proposal to enter the Australian domestic market.
Singapore Airlines is not confirming or denying the report from Channel Nine it is considering a proposal to revive Ansett.
Managing director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Peter Harbison, says the new airline would be Ansett in name only and use a fleet of 20 to 30 aircraft.
He says Singapore Airlines has made no secret of its long-term interest in the Australian market.
"We're getting to a stage where most of the homework has been done and the timing is seen probably to be pretty right," Mr Harbison said.
Sydney Airport has confirmed it held talks with Singapore Airlines several weeks ago about airport access.
Mr Harbison says Singapore Airlines has been interested in the Australian domestic market for the last 10 years.
He says the airline was interested in Ansett last year but the Fox-Lew bid intervened.
"But I don't think that interest has gone away at all during that period, and now we're getting to a stage where most of the homework has been done and the timing is seen to be probably pretty right, so if a Board decision is made this month I think we could quite probably see something operating within six months," he said.
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Straight to Peter Harbison for opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geoffrey Thomas.........still looking forward to your take on the Compass Airlines operation and comments on the abovementioned names. Cheers.....Al
Last edited by Al E. Vator; 3rd Sep 2002 at 22:48.