Daughter of Erebus victim: Pero's flight in 'poor taste'

The memorial to the victims of the crash on the slopes of Mt Erebus. File photo / Supplied

The daughter of one of the Erebus disaster victims has criticised businessman Mike Pero's charter flight to the crash site as in "poor taste" and unaffordable for many victims' families.

Mr Pero plans to fill a Boeing 747 - 307 seats - with families of victims and take them over the site of the crash site next January, weather permitting.

Susan O'Rourke, from Blenheim, lost her mother in the November 28, 1979, crash, in which 257 passengers and crew died.

"As an immediate family member of a victim of the disaster, I feel he is just capitalising on the situation of the 30th anniversary," she said.

Ms O'Rourke first learned of Mr Pero's plans for the flight from Air New Zealand, who are flying a limited number of family members on a memorial flight to Antarctica this Saturday on board a United States Air Force C-17 cargo plane.

Victims' families were upset when the airline's plans were revealed, as only five representatives were able to be included, with names drawn from a ballot.

But Ms O'Rourke said the cost of Mike Pero's flight would make it unaffordable for many families of victims.

Tickets will cost between $1400 and $8600, depending on seating preferences.

"$1400 - for a family, that's a lot of money. Especially when there's no guarantee they will go over Erebus. This flight can only further go to capitalise on those who have not got funds to be able to partake in the flight."

She also questioned the timing of Pero's memorial flight, and said it was in "poor taste".

"If he's so concerned, why didn't he do it before?

"Why after 30 years? Why not after 25 years? Why now?

"At the end of the day he's seizing an opportunity off family members that wouldn't go."

Mr Pero has said his plans were not a PR stunt or intended for personal gain. He has offered to pay any nett proceeds to Air New Zealand's own charity, Koru Care.

Ms O'Rourke said although preference would be given to victims, seats would also be available to the public "who have little interest other than the interest of travelling to the Antarctic".

She also said the victims would be segregated, with those in the most expensive seats "treated royally".

"There was no class system on the original flight."

Ms O'Rourke said her family was one of 44 that did not have a body returned, and she was flying to Auckland today for Saturday's memorial service.

It will be the first time she will meet with other victims' families.

- With NZPA