10 September 2001SYDNEY - Travel agents in Australia were trying to cope today as travellers reacted to the possibility that Ansett Australia could appoint administrators.
Agents were inundated by calls from passengers checking the status of their Ansett tickets.
Gary Toomey, chief executive of Air New Zealand-Ansett attempted to cool the situation with a statement in which he said the airline was "advancing our work to support the on-going operations of Air New Zealand."
He added: "This morning, we've initiated serious discussions with the Australian government on the future for Ansett."
What future that will be was still unclear today as the New Zealand government appeared to distance itself from Ansett's troubles.
In a statement issued today, Air NZ acting chairman Jim Farmer said: "Air New Zealand and its major shareholders, Brierley Investments and Singapore Airlines, are developing with the New Zealand government a proposal to ensure on-going financial support for Air New Zealand's international and domestic operations.
"The company has also held discussions over the last few days with Qantas Airways in relation to Ansett, but these were terminated as a result of adverse comments made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission."