VIRGIN BLUE'S planned joint venture with Air New Zealand on the trans-Tasman route has struck its first hurdle after Tiger Airways called for regulators to block the deal because of competition concerns.Tiger, which has an alliance with Singapore Airlines, says the move will reduce competition, and that Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand will raise their fares and reduce their services.
In a submission to the competition regulator, Tiger's new Australian boss, Crawford Rix, said the two airlines were experiencing the ''economic reality facing the whole industry'' and should work on their own to weather the storm rather than form a union that would not benefit travellers. Full Story
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