1 Dec 2009

Air NZ plan to take more Erebus families to Antarctica

9:08 am on 1 December 2009

Air New Zealand is talking to the Government about making it possible for family members of more Erebus victims to visit Antarctica.

All 257 passengers and crew on board the Air New Zealand DC-10 sightseeing flight perished when the plane crashed into the side of the mountain in Antarctica in 1979.

Representatives of six families whose relatives were among those killed have returned to New Zealand from 30th anniversary commemorations in Antarctica.

Air New Zealand says it believes it would be healing for more family members to make the trip.

It is not yet clear how that would be funded, but the airline is hoping to make progress on the proposal once Prime Minister John Key returns from overseas.

Air New Zealand is also promoting the creation of a memorial to the Erebus victims at Scott Base in Antarctica.