RichardMEL

Ansett ticket sales reach 100,000

Thursday 18 October 2001

Ansett has sold its 100,000th ticket 19 days after being resurrected.

Ansett administrators said ticket sales had exceeded expectations with Christmas-New Year bookings experiencing a surge in the past 24 hours after the federal government signed a deal agreeing to extend its guarantee on Ansett tickets through to January 2002.

Ansett administrator Mark Mentha said the airline was the only one in the world to start up since the September 11 attacks shook up the industry across the globe.

"We started from scratch with no cash reserves and it is gratifying to see Australia supporting its efforts," Mr Mentha said in a statement today.

"Staff believe in the future of the newlook airline and are working extremely hard to build a sustainable operation as quickly as possible."

Ansett Mark II operates 448 flights per week to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

Ansett's subsidiary companies including Kendell Airlines, Skywest Airlines and Aeropelican are operating a further 516 flights between regional locations.

Administrators are expected to meet a syndicate of businessmen including trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and retail king Solomon Lew tomorrow.

Sources said the group plans to turn Ansett into a scaled down, discount airline using A320 aircraft between major destinations.

A Singapore Airlines spokesman said the airline had held discussions with the FoxLew syndicate, to discuss possible partnerships with the Singapore airline taking on a management role.

Mr Fox owns Essendon and Avalon Airports in the Melbourne region.

Reports in the Herald Sun newspaper estimate his worth at $340 million.

The report said Mr Lew, a former Coles Myer chairman, has set aside $500 million for acquisitions.



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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.