Virgin Blue’s Godfrey doubts rumours
An AAP report says that Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey says he doubts Air New Zealand would snap up a majority stake in the low cost Australian carrier if Toll Holdings Ltd were to offload its 65 per cent shareholding.
The speculation arose after Toll, which inherited a controlling interest in Virgin Blue when it took over stevedore Patrick in 2006, said last month it would make a decision about that stake by the end of the year.
Air New Zealand this month moved to quash rumours it would be interested in buying the stake, worth about $A1.5 ($NZ1.8) billion.
Mr Godfrey said he would be very surprised if the speculation involving the trans-Tasman carrier turned out to be true.
“I don’t believe that for a minute, I just don’t believe it,” Mr Godfrey told reporters at the company’s annual general meeting in Brisbane today.
“I just can’t see the government of New Zealand acquiring an Australian airline……….but funnier things have happened.”
He said the board would be comfortable with whatever decision Toll Holdings made.
“I think what we can say is that the business of Virgin Blue has a very detailed strategic direction attached to it,” he said.
“Shareholders have been very supportive of that strategy and we believe it’s being executed very well.
“Obviously shareholders, major or small, will from time to time review their position – it’s no secret that Toll just said it will do that.”
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025