Media Release
28th June 2004

Goodbye Sweetheart Virgin Blue

“Pacific Blue’s suggestion that it is not seeking special treatment or a ‘sweetheart deal’ for its airport proposals can only be greeted with incredible disbelief,” said New Zealand First MP Dail Jones.

Mr Jones has pointed out that the Ministry of Defence has made it clear that any operations at Whenuapai would not be available until 2010, and he doubts whether Virgin Blue would want to wait that long.

“This country is not in a position to support any overseas investor into a ‘sweetheart deal’ – least of all Virgin Blue. This must be one of the most cutthroat companies in the world, and for it to suggest that it should be given a concession over and above other operators is absolute nonsense.

“The voters of Auckland must be greatly concerned that their investment in Auckland International Airport Ltd is losing value as a result of the failure of the Waitakere City Council, the North Shore City Council and the Auckland City Council to ensure that any plans for the future development of Whenuapai are undertaken on a level playing field with any persons seeking interest in that land having to pay a fair market value.

“People who want to support Whenuapai as an airport should wake up and get into the real world of land values and not expect the Government to hand over the land for no value whatsoever. This includes the Auckland Regional Council”, Mr Jones concluded.

ENDS

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