Qld: Premier Peter Beattie to lobby Lindsay Fox for Qld flights

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2001
Qld: Premier Peter Beattie to lobby Lindsay Fox for Qld flights

BRISBANE, Dec 7 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie is lobbying potential Ansett
Mark II backers to include Cairns on their future flight schedules.

Mr Beattie flew to Melbourne late today to meet with Ansett bidder Lindsay Fox to discuss
possible Queensland routes.

"I had a discussion with Lindsay Fox a little time ago and Lindsay indicated at that
time that Mark II would go to Cairns," the premier told reporters.

"I want to make certain that happens."

Mr Beattie said he believed Ansett Mark II would fly to Brisbane, Cairns and Coolangatta
airports.

"Air services are absolutely vital - they're the lifeline of the tourism industry," he said.

Mr Beattie's trip to Melbourne comes a day after Virgin Blue announced it was withdrawing
its Brisbane-Mount Isa service.

The airline began flying to the north-west Queensland mining township after the collapse
of Ansett, the only airline then flying to the town.

Mr Beattie today said he understood Virgin Blue's decision, made after several months
of Qantas flying the same route.

"I just know that the financial realities are that it can probably only sustain one
airline," he said.

Mr Beattie said Virgin Blue had been good corporate citizens in Queensland.

AAP bja/tb/sb

KEYWORD: ANSETT BEATTIE

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