[Peetwo]

A new Alphabet group, with clout -

Via the BITN thread:

Ps"..Meanwhile, Australian and New Zealand airlines have joined forces to set up a new aviation industry group to lobby government on taxes, fees and access to infrastructure. Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tigerair Australia and Regional Express are all backing the Airlines for Australia and New Zealand group..."

More on this interesting story from stuff.co NZed :

Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin join forces


ELLEN READ

LAWRENCE SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ

The airlines are unhappy with the "under investment and over recovery at key airports", says Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon.

Air New Zealand is teaming up with rival airlines to form a trans-Tasman aviation lobby group to tackle - among other things - the fees and facilities at the airports they use. 
Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, TigerAir Australia and Regional Express (Rex) will join Air New Zealand as founding members of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ).
Airport services and charges are high on the agenda with Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon calling them out as the group was launched.

PAUL KANE/GETTY

"Aviation is one of the greatest enablers of tourism, trade and economic growth in our region," says Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti.

"Australia and New Zealand must compete for visitors on the world stage against many other attractive destinations," Luxon said.

"To be competitive we must continue to improve cost and quality in all parts of the travel experience but we are constrained by a legacy of under investment and over recovery at key airports. A4ANZ will add its voice to that ambition," he said.

DAVID GRAY

Airport fees and charges are rising while fares have fallen, says Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce echoed the sentiment, saying: "Airport fees and charges continue to increase while airlines are offering fares at levels significantly cheaper than they were over a decade ago".

"A4ANZ's goal is to achieve regulatory reform that will promote a competitive and sustainable airline industry in the interests of Australian and New Zealand travellers," Joyce said.

In New Zealand, airports consult airlines on landing fees every five years. While the charges are a big cost for the airlines, they make up only a small part of most passenger ticket prices. 

Graeme Samuel, the former chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has been appointed as chairman to lead a board made up of a representative from each member airline. He has 40 years of leadership experience in public service, law and investment banking.

A chief executive will be appointed in coming months.

Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti said : "Aviation is one of the greatest enablers of tourism, trade and economic growth in our region, so it's absolutely critical that airports operate efficiently and that investment in infrastructure benefits travellers".

A4ANZ will stand apart from airline lobby group Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand of which all airlines flying to and within New Zealand are members. The A4ANZ group was announced overnight and airports have not yet had a chance to comment.
Virgin and Air New Zealand currently work together on flights and rewards on trans-Tasman routes. Qantas has a global alliance with Emirates. 

About A4ANZ member airlines: 

-  Air New Zealand flies more than 15 million passengers a year and employs around 11,800 people.
-  The Qantas Group flies more than 50 million passengers each year and employs over 30,000 people.
-  Rex flies 1.2 million passengers each year and employs around 1100 people.
-  The Virgin Australia Group flies over 24 million passengers each year and employs around 9500 people.

 - Stuff

MTF...P2