Forum Archive Index - May 2001

[Phil Boeyen <pboeyen@sharechat.co.nz>]

Title: Re: [sharechat] Impulse withdraws brand in Ausattn G Stolwyk

> Malcolm,
>
> I think you may be referring to Hazelton Airlines, the NSW carrier which Ansett has purchased.  Qantas was in the race to buy Hazelton also but ran up against regulatory issues.  So did Ansett, but it managed to work a deal with the ACCC to allow the purchase to go ahead.  As Gerry mentioned the latest deal between Qantas and Impulse will likely help Qantas on the feeder routes that Ansett will get via the Hazelton takeover.  Today's news is the fallout from the price war in Australia. Analysts have been waiting for one of the carriers to fall over... the cheap prices are not sustainable long-term.  Impulse said as much in its statement today which is why it is pulling out of the main trunk routes.  The deal is not a purchase by Qantas but a "commercial agreement" whereby all the flights will be branded under the Qantas banner but Impulse will earn money by 'leasing' planes and crew to Qantas for it to fly certain routes, and Impulse will also contract other routes itself.  The New Zealand issue is interesting.  As many thought Qantas balked at Tasman Pacific's debt and is picking up the pieces after the fact.  But Air NZ has got in early with Freedom which seems a smart move.  Who will end up making money out of all this?  Wish I knew the answer!
>
> Regards, Phil Boeyen
>