The chief executive of Air New Zealand Ltd. has expressed concern that the new transport minister may not be independent concerning the company’s proposed trans-Tasman codesharing agreement with Qantas Airways Ltd. the Dominion Post reported today.
The newspaper quoted chief executive Rob Fyfe as saying that he was still assessing the implications of the appointment for the airlines’ codesharing deal and was concerned the minister might have a conflict of interest.
The newspaper said Annette King, who was appointed to the transport portfolio last week, is a critic of the proposal, and the member of Parliament for the Rongotai electorate, where the Wellington International Airport is located.
Before her appointment, King said she would be concerned if the proposal hurt Wellington, the newspaper said.
