11 January 2010

Air NZ follows Qantas out of AAPA

AUCKLAND - Air New Zealand has confirmed to ATWOnline that it has joined Qantas in withdrawing from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

An Air NZ spokesperson said that the airline chose not renew its membership late last year.

AAPA director general Andrew Herdman told TravelMole last week that AAPA "engages with a wide range of industry stakeholders and articulates Asia/Pacific perspectives on global aviation policy issuesÃ¢â¬~.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœMembership in the AAPA remains open to all international airlines based in the region, regardless of business model," Herdman added.

Last yearÃ¢â¬â¢s AAPA Assembly of Presidents in Singapore was urged to woo major airlines in China to strengthen the clout of the association on the global stage.

Chew Choon Seng, CEO of Singapore Airlines, said, Ã¢â¬ÅâœChina now has a centre seat, up front, on the world stage.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœOur association will be more representative and reflective of the regionÃ¢â¬â¢s strength and rising stature, and have more influence in international aviation matters, if we have members from China.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœIt is timely for the association to reinvigorate our courtship of the principal airlines in China,Ã¢â¬~ Chew said.