=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2002/05/29/f= inancial2144EDT0361.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, May 29, 2002 (AP) Australian carrier confirms talks over taking stake in New Zealand carrier (05-29) 18:44 PDT SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Qantas confirmed Thursday it is in talks to buy a stake in Air New Zealand. Chief executive Geoff Dixon said Qantas was holding discussions with Air New Zealand "on a wide range of business issues, including a minority Qantas shareholding in Air New Zealand." Air New Zealand chairman John Palmer said talks between the two carriers began a year ago. "These discussions have been ongoing between the two airlines since May last year. The parties continue to discuss options but nothing has been agreed," he said. The airlines' statements followed speculation in New Zealand media that Qantas was talking directly with the government in Wellington about acquiring a stake in the airline. The New Zealand government denied the reports. Last year Wellington blocked an attempt by Qantas to buy a 25 percent stake in the ailing Air New Zealand. Instead, the government took an 82-percent stake and injected 885 million New Zealand dollars ($473 million) into the carrier to keep it aloft. However Qantas has made its continued interest clear. Earlier this month, Dixon said: "A partnership between us and Air New Zealand would be very good for Australasian aviation. I've always felt it. I felt it when I first came into the industry. I still feel it." On the Net: www.airnewzealand.com www.qantas.com =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP