=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/2003/09/08/i= nternational2245EDT0790.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, September 8, 2003 (AP) Australia regulator rules against Qantas-Air New Zealand alliance (09-08) 19:45 PDT SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Australia's competition watchdog on Tuesday rejected a proposed alliance between Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand, saying the partnership would raise air fares and would not serve the public interest. Rival airlines, industry analysts and air freight companies had criticiz= ed the plan, saying it would stifle competition. "The proposed alliance would be highly anticompetitive and offer little benefit to the Australian public," Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Graeme Samuel told reporters. Samuel said the plan would have led to an increase in air fares and a decrease in the number of seats available on routes between Australia and New Zealand. The Australian regulator and its counterpart, the New Zealand Commerce Commission, both rejected the merger in draft rulings in April. =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003 AP