Fed: Ansett subsidiary sold
MELBOURNE, April 26 AAP - The sale of Ansett's regional subsidiary airline, Aeropelican,will ensure another $6 million to Ansett creditors' coffers and secure the employmentof 28 staff.
Ansett administrator Mark Mentha today said the sale to the Sydney-based aviation servicescompany, IAG Group Australia Pty Ltd, would improve air services for regional NSW.
IAG Group chief executive Gareth Brown said the airline had arranged to streamlinesome services with Qantas, including shared baggage handling and ticketing and linkingflights.
The airline was the third Ansett asset to be sold this week.
The cargo division was bought by Patrick Corp on Wednesday while earlier today CanberraInternational Airport announced the purchase of Ansett's domestic terminal and terminallease for an undisclosed sum.
A property valuation in June 2000 put the terminal building at $3.75 million. Plantand equipment are valued at $4.04 million.
The terminal has been in the hands of administrators since the collapse of Ansett Airlineson September 14 last year.
Canberra International Airport unsuccessfully tried to revoke the lease in the FederalCourt last month, accusing the airline of breaching leasing responsibilities by failingto pay rent or maintain the property.
Airport managing director Stephen Byron today said the airport would lease out spaceto a number of airlines.
"We finally now have the flexibility to provide terminal facilities to any airline," he said.
"Virgin Blue and Kendell Airlines have already agreed to share terminal space."
In other news, administrator Mark Korda today said he would not be pressured into theearly sale of another of Ansett's subsidiary airlines, Kendell Airlines, after a partyof former Ansett staff threatened to pull their bid if a decision was not made by theclose of business today.
Mr Korda and Michael Humphris, the administrator for Ansett subsidiary Hazelton Airline,said a decision would be made soon.
Mr Humphris said Hazelton was relying on offers which involved a merger with Kendell.
He said a creditors' meeting on Monday was expected to extend the current deed of salearrangement.
AAP jmw/gfr/mg/de
KEYWORD: ANSETT AEROPELICAN
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