Published HBT 9 Sept 2014
Napier Mayor Bill Dalton must explain the source of his information that Air New Zealand are not gouging Hawke’s Bay travellers as he so confidently claims, and how does he support his suggestion we risk losing air services altogether if the airline takes offence at our criticism. Has he actually be told this by the airline?
The chances the airline might flag away nearly half million passengers and hand an estimated $100 million a year piece of business on a plate to Jetstar is simply not credible.
Many organisations including Mr Daltons own Council are criticised for what some people at least think are excessive charges, and all deny the allegations. That Air New Zealand deny price gouging is irrelevant. No business, especially one half owned by Government would admit to excessive pricing, because it would immediately attract the attention of regulatory authorities. In fact there is antidotal evidence to the contrary.
Are we to assume Mayor Dalton does not intend to protest at the possible loss of 36 local Air New Zealand jobs when he meets with Air New Zealand Regional Services Manager Ian Collier this week because of the risk of offending, or is this issue somehow exempt from the threats to leave Hawke's Bay.
Surely he is aware of the anaemic state of our local visitor industry and perhaps would be doing the people and businesses of Hawke’s Bay a greater service if he were to add his voice to those claiming unfair treatment, rather than helping a business preserve the damaging monopoly it currently enjoys.
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