Update: Still A Chance for Mike Pero’s Erebus Flight to Antarctica

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 28: Rev Richard Waugh sprinkles the water from Mount Erebus over the flowers during the memorial service at Waikumete cemetary in Auckland, Sunday, November 28th, 2004 for the 25th anniversary of the Mt Erebus air accident. (Photo by Sandra Teddy/Getty Images). Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved.

Tomorrow is the 30th anniversary of an Air New Zealand DC10 crash at Mt Erebus which killed all 257 passengers and crew on board. Their bodies, except for a few, still remain on Mt Erebus. Mike Pero, a Christchurch businessman of Cook Islands descent, announced this week that he would charter a plane allowing as many of the grieving families to fly over Mt Erebus. This comes after Air New Zealand had announced it would provide 6 seats for the families of victims on its special flight. After Pero’s charter flight was publicised, Air New Zealand went on the attack accusing Mike Pero of exploiting the tragedy for commercial gain. Since then, it has turned into nasty and personal attacks on Pero from Air New Zealand’s CEO Rob Fyfe.  Not pleasant.

Terrible for the families to witness this. Shame that any ill will has entered into tragedy. Not a good look from Air New Zealand. Wrong call to come out criticising someone who was trying to help the situation. The absurd argument from Air New Zealand, accusing Pero of crass commercialism among other things, suggests they need to look in the mirror.  This seems to be the standard approach from Air New Zealand whenever anyone encroaches on their territory so to speak. Think of all the small airlines that they come out criticising and as a result of their relentless PR campaign in the media, which passes without scrutiny, they win the war.

We hope Mike Pero stays strong on this issue, is able to go ahead with the charter flight, and doesn’t give in to the personal attacks from Air New Zealand.

Christchurch entrepreneur Mike Pero is refusing to give up hope of flying more than 300 people to the site of the Mt Erebus disaster in Antarctica despite Qantas saying it cannot provide a plane.

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Click here for full coverage of the Erebus Disaster Anniversary.

 

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Pero had an agreement with Antarctica Sightseeing Flights to charter a Boeing 747 for 307 people in January.

 

Roll of Remembrance Mt Erebus Disaster

New Zealanders who died 180 and 20 crew members. Japan lost 24 citizens. United States lost 22 citizens. United Kingdom lost six citizens. Canada lost two citizens. Australia, France and Switzerland lost one citizen each.

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 28: People pay their repect to the ones lost in the Mount Erebus disaster at the memorial service held at Waikumete cemetary in Auckland, Sunday, November 28th, 2004 for the 25th anniversary of the Mt Erebus air accident. (Photo by Sandra Teddy/Getty Images)