The Commerce Commission today confirmed that the conferences it will hold on the Air New Zealand and Qantas applications for Commerce Act authorisations will commence in Wellington on 18 August 2003.

On 29 April 2003 the Commission determined, and later announced in a media release on 30 April, that the conferences would take place together and fixed the commencement date under the Commerce Act at 18 August 2003.

The airlines have filed interconnected applications under two parts of the Commerce Act and the Commission decided to hold a conference on each application.

The conference dates were aligned so that all matters could be heard at the one time, and the Commission today confirmed its decision to proceed in that way.

It is anticipated that the conferences will be completed on or before Friday 22 August.

The conferences are for interested parties to make oral presentations based on submissions to the Commission and for the Commission to ask questions. The conferences will follow the Commission's standard conference procedures.

Cross submissions on the Commission's draft determination close on Friday, 18 July.

All relevant documents are published on the Commission's website, www.comcom.govt.nz

Media contact:

Fritha Mackay, Manager, Market Structure Group

Phone work (04) 924 3650

Jackie Maitland, Communications Manager

Phone work (04) 924 3708, mobile 029 924 3708