Norman Brown, a 69-year-old retired newspaper printer, diagnosed terminally ill was more than grateful when Air New Zealand granted the very first thing listed on his bucket list, that is, to see his grandchildren.

Mr Brown was told by doctors that he can only live until September of 2013. This diagnosis meant that he will not be allowed to fly to Dunedin to be there with his grandson Jake, who is celebrating his birthday in May 2014.

Because of this, Mr Brown and his wife Jan tried to refund the cost of the flight that they already booked before finding out that he can no longer fly. His travel agency refused to grant the request saying that the couple failed to pay the $20 insurance fee on their internet-purchase ticket before Mr Brown got sick.

At first, it would seem as if fate was working against them. The travel agency had also refused their request to transfer the flight credits to his family members for them to be the ones to visit him instead.

In an interview with Stuff.co, Mr Brown said, "The credit offer for me is useless. My flying days are over. I'm not going anywhere. The doctors won't allow me to fly."

But in a rather twist of event, New Zealand Air called Mr Brown on the night of July 10, 2013 to offer them a full refund on their original fares. The offer from Air New Zealand will go as far as having his grandchildren fly to Wellington where Mr Brown is living.

The Dominion Post was also instrumental in contacting the Air NZ directly to inform them of Mr Brown's condition.

Virgin Australia Dispute

Meanwhile, Air new Zealand argued the three-year conditional approval given by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission extending the Virgin Australia - Air new Zealand trans-Tasman alliance, radio new Zealand reports.

Instead of five years which both of the airlines requested, ACCC only approved of three years more of partnership between the two companies. The approval also compelled both Air NZ and Virgin Australia not to be able to cut services on some routes.

As much as ACCC acknowledge that the people will be benefited from the partnership between the two companies, ACCC expressed more concern that the partnership will affect the competition against some airlines taking several routes with them - Christchurch to Melbourne or Brisbane; Wellington or Queenstown to Brisbane; Auckland to the Gold Coast; and Dunedin to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

In an interview with The Herald Sun, ACCC Commissioner Dr Jill Walker said, "Combining the networks of the two airlines allows them to offer enhanced products and services, such as new frequencies and increased access to loyalty program benefits and lounges. This is turn is likely to promote competition on Trans-Tasman routes."

Rob Mercer, Forsyth Barr Head of private wealth research said that the conditional approval imposed by the ACCC is not commercially sensible. He explained that only the two airlines can adjust their services in as far as profitability of the company is concern.

Mr Mercer said, "... it will make it difficult for airlines to plan strategically and invest in the alliances if every twoor three years they are forced to go through the same process with a degree of uncertainty.