Fed: CASA is punishing Ansett, chief executive says

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2001
Fed: CASA is punishing Ansett, chief executive says

Ansett says Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority is punishing the airline for
being honest about its own problems.

Ansett's 10 Boeing 767s were grounded on Thursday due to concerns over safety procedures
and systems.

CASA has given the company three weeks to show why it should not lose its operating licence.

The airline has borrowed 747s from one of its own international routes and from Singapore
Airlines to help fly home 37,000 passengers home from Easter holidays tomorrow.

CASA director of aviation safety, MICK TOLLER, says CASA last week considered grounding
the entire Ansett fleet and blames the company's new management team for the crisis.

But Ansett chief executive GARY TOOMEY says that the airline's new management team
has worked with CASA since December to revise management structure

The New Zealand-based airline boss, who is also chief executive of Ansett owner, Air
New Zealand, returned from New Zealand to Melbourne tonight.

AAP RTV imc/wz

KEYWORD: ANSETT (MELBOURNE)

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