Air N.Z. writ may delay Ansett airport terminal

Press, 19 December 1986, Page 1

Air N.Z. writ may delay Ansett airport terminal

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor Ansett New Zealand’s plans for an early start on its new passenger terminal at Christchurch Airport face the prospect of an unexpected delay. Air New Zealand yesterday filed a writ against the Christchurch City Council seeking an injunction to stop the project on the proposed site, which is adjacent to the southern end of the existing domestic terminal.

The High Court is expected to hear the application in Christchurch this morning.

According to informed sources, the injunction will be argued on the ground that Air New Zealand already has a lease on the site. Ansett New Zealand, the consortium comprising Ansett Transport Industries, the Newmans Group, and Brierley Investments, is establishing an airline with pure-jet aircraft to compete against Air New Zealand on the main domestic trunk routes. Air New Zealand has strongly opposed the airline’s plans since they were first announced earlier in the year.

Ansett wants to build its own passenger terminals at Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. The Christchurch and Auckland authorities have granted approval, and Wellington is expected to follow suit later in the month.

Yesterday’s filing of the writ threw a damper on a press conference at Christchurch Airport last evening when the airport authority and the airline were to have announced details for the terminal.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, congratulated the airline on its development pro-

posals which, he said, would be significant not only for Christchurch but the whole of the South Island.

Sir Hamish said the council had not dragged its feet in making a decision. The airline was considered vital for the economic progress of the city, he said.

In an obvious reference to pending litigation, Sir Hamish warned that there could be a “few hiccups” along the way.

Mr Peter Ammundsen, a member of the airline’s board, thanked the council for its support and

presented Sir Hamish with a painting of the proposed terminal.

Asked last . evening whether Air New Zealand was considering any similar legal action against the Auckland Airport Authority, the airline’s public affairs . manager, Mr Bob Wallace, said he was unable to comment.