The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1949. STATE AIR LOSSES IN BRITAIN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14882, 20 January 1949, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1949. STATE AIR LOSSES IN BRITAIN

Whether or not there is any connection, between the resignation of Sir Harold Hartley (who recently visited New Zealand) from the chairmanship of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, and figures published recently in England, the latter suggest the last half-year of his term of office must have caused him considerable concern.

Por the first time a half-yearly statement has been made on the operating results of the. three British air-line corporations. This statement which covers the period from April to September, the busiest flying period of the year, discloses a total deficit cl £3,991,000—the equivalent of a loss of £8 12s for each passenger carried. 8.0.A.C., the largest of the three corporations, shows a deficit of £2,684,000* compared with £3,164.000 in the same period last year. The loss during the winter months, however, is expected to be greater. BE.A. shows a loss of £897,000, compared with £1,31 b,OOO during the same period last year. Here, in addition to the normal falling off in the winter, the strike at Northolt. and cancellations of passages during the severe fogs in November are expected to result in heavier losses in the following six months. Against the improvements in 8.0.A.C. and 8.E.A., British •South American airways have' increased their loss from £211,000 in the corresponding period of 1947 to £410,000. This is attributed to the delays in delivery and the temporary grounding ot the Tudor TV aircraft (another of which is now reported missing), to which the corporation is committed. The second half of the year is expected to benefit from the introduction o< the ludoi to the South American, run from December. The anticipated deficit on ths three, corporations is anticipated to be in the region of nine million pounds for the full year, compared with £10,820,000 for last year. 'Phis year’s subsidy is only eight million pounds under the Civil Aviation Act, and at least a further million pounds is expected to have to be found under revised estimates.