United Airlines takes stock

Press, 25 February 1986, Page 12

United Airlines takes stock

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor of “The Press”

Anyone expecting early dramatic changes in New Zealand’s international aviation scene now that United Airlines has taken over Pan American’s Pacific network is going to be disappointed. The airline has no immediate intention of introducing cut-rate promotional fares, increasing frequency, or seeking rights to fly a direct service to Christchurch. United’s main aim at present is to be a mirror image of Pan Am, or, as the chief executive of United, Mr James J. Hartigan, said in Auckland last week, “to get the feel of the place.” While insisting that United was not a fare-cutting airline, Mr Hartigan said it would nevertheless be a tough and aggressive competitor for other airlines flying the Pacific routes. He would not be drawn on plans or strategies for the future.

“I would rather have the other guy spending his time worrying about what I might do, than have him planning to compete with what I’ve told him I’m going to do,” he said. Mr Hartigan said the weeks ahead would be a time for consolidating and setting in place a firm foundation for the future. — He announced that the airline would sponsor a cultural exchange programme between 24 sister cities in the United States and the Pacific rim. It will be run in conjunction with Sister Cities International (5.C.1.). A week-long exchange between Auckland and Los Angeles will take place in July. Mr Hartigan said that the exchange plan would strengthen cultural ties between the United States and New Zea-

land. “Bringing people together is at the core of United Airline's business,” he said. “We are proud to create the

exchange and to enhance intercultural respect and friendship. .“For 30 years, Sister Cities International has built international bridges of understanding. We are eager to help this noble effort,” he said.

Mr Hartigan said the exchange programme would be open to any performing groups that could make a crosscultural contribution, from acrobatic troupes and jugglers to break dancers. The airline will make a contribution to S.C.I. to sponsor the groups, which will be selected by a joint community panel in each exchange city. United also will provide air transportation for the performing groups to and from the sister city. In addition to Auckland and Los Angeles, the airline and S.C.I. plan exchanges between 24 other cities in the United States and the Pacific rim.

Although Christchurch and its sister city, Seattle, were not included in United’s immediate exchange programme, there was a strong possibility they would be involved next year, said the airline’s public relations manager in New Zealand, Mr John Berry, yesterday. United paid $750 million for Pan Am’s Pacific division. It hired 2700 Pan Am employees and acquired 18 of its aircraft.

United is the largest privately owned airline in the world and is the only airline that serves all 50 states in the United States.