BRITISH AIR SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 9

BRITISH AIR SERVICE.

Plans for Alternative Routes Outlined. TWO FLIGHTS A WEEK. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, July 31. A statement on the proposed transatlantic air service was made in the House of Commons yesterday by the Under-Secretary of State for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon.

The Minister recalled the arrangements to which approval has been

given by the Governments of Britain, Canada, the Irish Free State and Newfoundland for survey flights to be undertaken and for an experimental air mail service to be established as soon as possible.

These were to be followed eventually by a mail and passenger service on a minimum schedule of two flights a week in each direction. Sir Philip also referred to the fact that subsequent discussions had been held with the United States Government. He stated that a joint operating company, incorporated at the instance of Imperial Airways, and two companies nominated for that purpose by the Canadian and Irish Free State Governments, would participate with Pan-American Airways on a basis of reciprocity in the operation of the services.

All practical preference would be given to the direct, route via the Irish Free State, Newfoundland and Canada, but it might be necessary, during the initial period, to operate the services via Bermuda during the winter months.

Experimental long-distatice flights and other necessary investigations would be carried out in the near future by Imperial Airways and the results would be placed at the disposal of the joint company when it was established. PanAmerican .Airways also would conduct experimental flights..

During the experimental stage the flying operations would be financed by the British" Government. When the joint company assumed the responsibility it would receive an annual subsidy from the several Governments on an agreed basis.

Each of the four Governments had undertaken to grant the necessary landing and transit rights within its own territory to the joint company and to Pan-American Airways. It was contemplated that these rights would be exclusive in respect of the transatlantic air services for a period of 15 years.

An inter-Governmental on transatlantic air services would be established.