BUSY AIRPORT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 74, 8 January 1941, Page 7

BUSY AIRPORT.

TRAVELLERS AT RONCOTAI.

(Per Press Association).

WELLINGTON, January 7

Through the transfer of Cook Strait Airways aeroplanes from civil use to Air Force training purposes, and the virtual cessation of aero club activities, the daily comings and goings at Rongotai aerodrome Avere reduced, but it still remains the Dominion’s busiest airport. During the fortnight from December 20 to January 2, covering the main travelling days, more than 1400 people left or arrived, 699 imvard and 742 outAvard, being an increase of 67 travellers compared Avith the corresponding fortnight in 1939. \ Mail carriage has been heavy, averaging 13001 b a, Aveek on Union Ainvays main trunk service, and going up to 20001 b for the week just before Christmas and 4001 b, Avith a Christmas peak of 5001 b, on the Cook Strait service. The Tasman Empire Air Service was thoroughly busy, and from bookings already received by Union Airways it appears as if the Aotearoa and AAvarua Avill be about fully booked up until the end of February, both to and from Sydney.

The mail carriage Avas very heavy, too, ocoward Christmas mails for men in Egypt and to Australian addresses going as high as 15001 b-.

Passengers by the Pan-American Clipper, and mail brought across the Pacific from Britain, Canada, and the United States have contributed to the still-growing Tasman air traffic Avhich already is higher than expectations based upon peace conditions, Avith Empire services running direct from India and the Near East to Europe and Britain.