AIR NEW ZEALAND ANSETT APPOINTS NEW VP RETAIL

The Air New Zealand Ansett Group has appointed Mr Ed Sims to the position of Vice President Retail. Mr Sims took up his position, based in Melbourne, on 18 July 2001.

Mr Sims will assume overall responsibility for the retail business of the Group, which covers Traveland, Jetset, Ansett and Air New Zealand branded retail shops and traveller service centres, and ShowGroup.

Mr Sims brings extensive management, sales and marketing experience from the UK retail travel industry to the Group. He was most recently the Managing Director of the Virgin Retail Travel Group, and was previously Sales, Marketing and Development Director with Airtours, a role responsible for the commercial strategy for the company's 800 Going Places retail outlets.

Announcing the appointment, Senior Vice President Sales & Distribution Andrew Miller said: "I believe Ed's leadership skills, experience, focus and energy will be invaluable for our Group as we strengthen our retail business and sales performance, and I am delighted to welcome him to our team."