RichardMEL

Ansett Golden Wing to reopen
MELBOURNE, Feb 17 AAP|Published: Sunday February 17, 8:11 PM

Ansett's comfort lounge customers - members of the Golden Wing club - can rest assured new airline owner Tesna will be looking after them.

The company tonight announced it would restore all former Golden Wing memberships including one-year, two-year, five-year and life memberships that were valid at September 13, 2001.

Golden Wing members - who get free food, drink and comfortable waiting rooms in return for annual membership fees of up to $583.80 - would also get a six months extra membership to make up for the long closure, the statement said. <http://www.theage.com.au/images/1pix.gif>
advertisement
<script> </script> <NOSCRIPT> <a><img></a></noscript>
advertisement

Golden Wing life members, who paid $3,243 for their access rights to the lounges, would also be fully recognised, the statement said.

The provisions come into effect once the sale of Ansett to Tesna is completed, probably at the end of the month, a company spokesman told AAP.


---

TESNA RESTORES GOLDEN WING MEMBERSHIPS

Tesna Holdings Pty Ltd ("Tesna") today confirmed it would restore all former Golden Wing memberships including one-year, two-year, five-year and life memberships which were valid at 13 September 2001.

In recognition that former Golden Wing members had not been able to enjoy full services at the airport lounges since 13 September last year, Tesna will offer an additional complimentary six month membership extension beyond members' current expiry date.

The offer takes effect following completion of the sale agreement between Tesna and Ansett's Administrators.

Golden Wing life members will also have their memberships fully recognised.

Tesna Co-Chairmen, Solomon Lew and Lindsay Fox, said that "Golden Wing members had been highly valued customers of Ansett in the past and we want to let them know that we want them back as Ansett customers in the future. This initiative is one practical way of demonstrating our commitment to reclaiming our customers as will our frequent flyer program which we will announce very shortly".

Returning members can expect to be warmly welcomed with substantial food, beverage and bar services, all former facilities and delighted lounge staff who will re-establish the high level of personal service for which Golden Wing is known.

As Tesna prepares to take over private ownership of a new all-Airbus Ansett next month, the existing Ansett website is receiving more than 300 inquiries per day with one of the most frequently asked questions relating to existing Golden Wing memberships.

The lounges were opened on a limited basis under Ansett Mark II and received regular patronage from Ansett customers despite only offering coffee and tea services and food choices limited to snack vending machines.

Upon settlement of Tesna's purchase of the Ansett mainline business, Golden Wing lounges will re-open fully, initially in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. The Canberra Golden Wing lounge has relocated to the site of the former Ansett Executive Lounge.

The lounges are now being prepared for the return to full service.