Fed: Ansett passengers suffer delays, but all get flights

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2000
Fed: Ansett passengers suffer delays, but all get flights

Ansett has managed to place all of the 30,000 passengers scheduled to travel with the
airline today on flights, despite the grounding of six of its aircraft.

But many experienced frustrating delays as the airline was forced to reschedule 10
flights and cancel two.

Ansett flights were yesterday thrown into chaos becuase crucial maintenance checks
had been missed on six of its B767 200s - the largest aircraft in its domestic fleet.

About 18,000 people were delayed and 14 flights cancelled yesterday after Ansett voluntarily
grounded the aircraft.

But Ansett spokeswoman JANE CORBETT-JONES says it was better to ground aircraft and
cancel and reschedule flights in the midst of the peak travel season than to potentially
compromise passenger safety.

Four of the grounded B767-200s are expected to be returned to service by the end of
today, with the remainder expected to be flying again by the end of tomorrow.

Ms CORBETT-JONES says those flying with Ansett tomorrow and on the busier Boxing Day
should be able to fly without experiencing disruptions to their flight schedules.

Ms CORBETT-JONES would not say how much the groundings, cancellations, rescheduling
and staff overtime had cost Ansett.

AAP RTV gfr/mjm

KEYWORD: ANSETT (ELBOURNE)

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