PACIFIC AIR SERVICE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 63, 26 December 1935, Page 3

PACIFIC AIR SERVICE.

SURVEY FLICHTS NEXT YEAR. (Per Press Association). AUGKLAND, December 25. Survey flights over the proposed trans-Pacific air route between Sail Francisco and Auckland will probably be made by Pan-American Airways next year, according to advice received from the vice-president of the firm by its local attorney (Mr Lisle Akleiton). Under the terms of the company’s agreement with the New Zealand Government, Pan-American Airways is required to commence its regular commercial service not later than December 31, 1936, although, if any unforeseen difficulties arise, the Minister for Transport may permit the starting time to be extended to December 31, 1937. The advice received by Mr Alderton is that tlio company is giving careful consideration to the technical and physical problems of the route. It hopes to arrange .survey flights befoie the end of 1936 to tesf certain practical problems involved in the existing proposals. Although no details have been announced about the proposed sin vey flights, it is possible that some of them may extend as far south as Auckland. The Auckland Harbour Board has not yet reached any decision as to when it will proceed with its plans for providing landing’ facilities for seaplanes at Lady’s Bay, and it is possible that some of the large Pan-American machines may arrive at Auckland befoie the proposed base is completed. No advice lias been received by Mr Aiderton as to the possible date for the commencement of the commercial service, hut it is presumed that this will depend, largely on the data collected as the result of survey flights. If the “unforeseen difficulties’ just mentioned in the agreement are encountered, the service may not start until 1937.