CASA Media Release - Sunday, 15 April 2001
Extra aircraft approved to help Ansett
Ansett Australia has been given permission to hire up to six international aircraft to ease their passenger seat shortage.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has approved the hiring of aircraft from Air New Zealand, Air Canada, Emirates Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
Several of these aircraft will be available on a full-time basis while the others will be used during down-time in stop overs between scheduled international flights.
The extra capacity will assist in moving passengers returning from Easter holidays and for keeping next weeks business travel flowing more smoothly.
CASA has approved the use of the international aircraft as they are operated by approved international carriers with a good safety record.
The flight crews of these aircraft all have the required knowledge of Australia's aviation rules to fly safely on domestic routes.
Air New Zealand is providing a 767-300 and a 747-400, Singapore Airlines a 747-400, Air Canada a 767-300 and Emirates two Boeing 777s.
Ansett will take up the use of these aircraft as passenger loads demand.
CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the approvals for the use of the foreign aircraft will help Ansett keep faith with its customers.
"It's important that Ansett keeps moving passengers in the coming days and these approvals by CASA will certainly help," Mr Toller says.
"CASA wants to minimise disruption while ensuring that safety standards are always met.
"We regret the disruption that passengers have already suffered over the Easter long weekend and we're working as hard as we can to clear Ansett's 767s to fly.
"CASA inspectors are working long hours in Melbourne on the first aircraft and we hope its approval to fly again is not too far away."
Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0018