Emirates gets support in Canberra……
A report in The Age this morning say that Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum met Prime Minister John Howard, the Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Mark Vaile and Ms Bailey in Canberra yesterday, but it was after private talks with Emirates executives in Canberra yesterday that Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said that she was a strong supporter of more competition, with Emirates picking up critical political support in Canberra for its once controversial proposal to double flights to Australia.
Minister Bailey said, “Emirates offers great opportunities for attracting more big-spending tourists to Australia from the Gulf countries and from Europe,” adding “Given the importance of tourism to Victoria, a good case can be made for more aviation capacity to Melbourne Airport, the gateway to regional Victoria.”
It is also reported that Liberal MP Bruce Baird, who hosted a separate, well-attended “Friends of Tourism” function with Emirates yesterday has also backed the airline’s bid for more flights, Mr Baird adding, “They should be given graduated access,” “Emirates run a good service and Australia has taken to their standard of service.” Mr Baird was once a staunch supporter of Australia’s national carrier Qantas, but he has been angered by the airline’s proposed $11 billion takeover, with that controversy appears to have given the Emirates proposal a timely boost.
A spokesman for Emirates said last night the reception had been “very positive”. “One of our key themes has been we are at full capacity, with airports like Melbourne having very limited seats for inbound visitors at the moment”.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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