Qantas not to take over Ansett

Sydney, Sept 12: In another blow to stricken Australian airline Ansett, Qantas Airways said it would not buy out its main competitor.

Qantas Chief Executive, Geoff Dixon said Qantas had looked closely at Ansett in the limited time available. “While understanding the difficulties facing Ansett staff, we could not, in any way, find a way to go forward with a purchase”, Mr Dixon said. “Ansett’s problems are far too great for Qantas to take on.”

Ansett’s parent company, Air New Zealand, has said it plans to offload the carrier in order to ensure its own survival. With an election looming and 16,000 Ansett jobs on the line , the Federal Government pleaded with Qantas to save Ansett. Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson said the government was disappointed by Qantas’ decision but understood it had to “act responsibly on behalf of its shareholders”.

-- PTI