Air Albatross plan ‘victim of delay’

Press, 4 September 1982, Page 6

Air Albatross plan ‘victim of delay’

Parliamentary reporter Air Albatross was a victim of the 2V 2 year delay on the caucus report on third level aviation operators. Mr JohnKirk' (Lab.,' Sydenham) told Parliament yesterday. People wanting to set up services on provincial routes had spent valuable overseas exchange on aircraft without knowing what the Government's policy on provincial services was, he said in the Budget debate. The Labour Party would have ensured Air Albatross survived by giving it the responsibility for running a good service over Cook Strait and giving Air New

Zealand marketing rights, he i said. > Air New Zealand did not I know what was wanted over r Cook Strait, and “was stuck I with a very unprofitable route.” 5 ; > "It is ridiculous that a > good operator, using his own ; initiative and modern equipt ment. is being prevented - froni providing that service, 1 and equally ridiculous that > Air New Zealand, which is in serious financial difficulty, 1 does not know where it is ; heading, and all because of ! the Government’s indolence i in producing a report that is ; already 2*& years late,” Mr - Kirk said.