RichardMEL

Posted: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 15:23 AEDT

Terminal leases a milestone in Ansett takeover
Businessmen Lindsay Fox and Solomon Lew say the long-awaited deal on the Ansett Sydney terminal leases is a key milestone in their takeover of Ansett.

Agreement in principle has been reached between the Tesna consortium and the Sydney Airports Corporation, which Tesna says covers all outstanding commercial issues surrounding the transfer of the lease.

Mr Fox and Mr Lew say they will now work closely with the airport and the administrators to formalise the deal as soon as possible.

The Sydney Airports Corporation says the agreement covers third party access to the terminal, the securing of workers entitlements and a commitment from Tesna to operate as a domestic airline.

Airports spokesman, Peter Gibbs, says it has been a long process.

"It has taken several weeks to get there, but we have always taken a responsible commercial approach to these negotiations, with the clear intent to get Ansett back in the air again," he said.