ANSETT TO BID FOR WESTERN QUEENSLAND FLYING

Ansett Australia confirmed today it would respond to the Queensland Government's request for a submission to operate the eight Western Queensland air routes that have been left unserviced after the collapse of Flight West Airlines.

Vice President Regional Airlines Australia Ron Rosalky said that Ansett is absolutely committed to regional air services. "We have been doing everything possible this week to relieve the situation for stranded Flight West customers. Our bid for the right to operate the western air routes will demonstrate Ansett's intention to remain integral to Queensland's transport infrastructure."

For tomorrow and the weekend, Ansett has again arranged flights in and out of ports including Alice Springs, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Darwin, Gove, Hervey Bay and Maroochydore, as well as the Phosphate Hill and Century Zinc mines to cover as many previous Flight West routes as possible at this time.

Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday Ansett will have provided 72 flights and 2,634 seats.