Can Air NZ extract a better deal from the government?

Playing for time may end up suiting the national carrier

Fri, 26 Feb 2021

Air New Zealand has only drawn down a third of the near-billion-dollar lifeline thrown to it by the government last year, giving the airline greater flexibility when it comes to hitting up the wider market for the funds needed to fly through the pandemic.The national carrier yesterday said it has access to about $700 million — of which $550m is from the government’s $900m facility to keep it afloat — with a razor-sharp focus on costs helping it keep a tight rein on its cash burn.That’s expected to drop to between $4...

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