Ansett Australian Global Rewards - AN International wound up

With apologies to AN@SYD - but I guess you already knew this - AN International was officially wound up the other week and SQ invited to take back their 744's. This news seems to have quietly escaped a lot of attention with the emphasis being on domestic issues.

A very sad time because of any part of AN, AN international was perhaps the best part. Not to put down the hard working domestic folks or anything, but the service really was wonderful on the International sectors (and I only flew Y before anyone asks!).

I'm a bit miffed as I'd planned to fly AN International SYD-HKG in J as a treat later in the year (on a paid Star RTW).

R.I.P. Ansett International.

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

Hi everyone, I'm still here reading all the posts with great interest, but don't give up yet....

I did hear this news from a friend living in Melbourne but so far we have not been told anything official. The Hong Kong base crew were officially "sacked" from the company last Friday but the Australian base are still employed. I spoke to my manager yesterday and she said there had been some bad press lately about Ansett International but nothing is based on fact and basically don't believe what is printed in the media. Even yesterday there were several interested parties meeting in Melbourne with prospects of buying Ansett International alone, Domestic alone, or both.

We have just been given the latest update on the "Proposed Ansett/Air New Zealand Agreement". It was very lengthy but I'll share a small part of it with you...

"What does the agreement provide to Ansett and Ansett Employees....?"

"In addition to the $150 million cash payment the proposed agreement exempts Ansett from the repayment of cash advances provided by Air New Zealand since Ansett went into Administration, provides Ansett with valuable landing spots in Japan, and exempts Ansett from all other alleged debts to Air New Zealand, as well as other benefits."

So what does that mean? They have mentioned the landing spots in Japan which obviously has something to do with Ansett International. Now that it looks like SQ is back in the picture, maybe there is some hope after all.

AN's B747-400 a/c did go back to Singapore but that happened on the scheduled date for the annual maintenance, and as far as we have been told not for repossession. I was told we have still paid for the lease. I did ask if they will be coming back after the maintenance however and the answer I got back was "we're not sure".

So, at this stage we are still stood down without pay but still employed like everyone else. I'll let you know if anything changes.

Things are looking up for Ansett mark II. I hope they get the support they deserve.

By the way, has anyone heard of Australia World Airways? I heard they have been trying to start up international flights since 1995. Maybe this could be the new Ansett International?


[This message has been edited by AN@SYD (edited 10-04-2001).]

Australia World Airways has existed for about 5 years, and even got some rights for some routes, however they lapsed.

Nothing much has happened from them, although they are interested in Ansett International. I put them in the same boat as Spirit Airlines (Spirit who you ask? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Ansett II is starting to get loads up.

Cheers,

Justin

Isn't AWA the mob that wanted to fly to Athens and Colombo????

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

I find it hard to believe that the SYD-HKG sector isn't serviced by a Star carrier. I think AN International, or at least the route it flew would be taken over at some stage by AN II or another Star partner.

In the meantime, it's SYD-SIN-HKG.

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Cheers,
W