INCREASE IN AIR TRAVEL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22375, 12 April 1938, Page 11

INCREASE IN AIR TRAVEL

GOVERNMENT'S WORK ON AERODROMES REVIEW BY HON. R. SEMPLE kllM IMOCIATIOW TKLTOIAX.) WELLINGTON, April 11. The rapid development of air travel in the Dominion was mentioned by the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) in a statement issued for him this evening. "Air transport in New Zealand," the statement said, "has shown a phenomenal increase in the last two years and has assumed considerable importance as a means of communication, especially in isolated districts and across Cook Strait." The Minister said it was not generally realised that in New Zealand the number of air travellers constituted a greater proportion of the population than in ar\y other~country from which records were available. About 20 per cent of the Wellington-Marlborough passenger traffic travelled by air. Rongotai aerodrome was handling more than 20,000 passengers a year, approximately 50 per cent, of the total for the Dominion, and more than onefifth as many as Croydon, the majpr airport of London. Reviewing the steps taken to provide aerodromes and landing grounds, Mr Semple said that the work on aerodromes began some years ago, and much was done in 1934. 1935, and 1936 by unemployed labour. Towards the end of 1036 hand labour methods were to a large extent abandoned in favour of more economical mechanical methods, which resulted in a considerable acceleration of the work. ,

There were at present approximately 70 aerodromes of various sizes and importance on which construction work had actually been started, and on 38 of these the major construction work was completed. The Government liability did not, however, end here immediately, as in most cases minor maintenance work was required for some years until the surface was finally consolidated.

In addition, there were 50 other sites under consideration, and construction would be undertaken on many of these if a full investigation proved them to be satisfactory and that aerodromes in the vicinity were desirable. Fifty-six aerodromes were licensed for use by aircraft at present, including some on which construction was not quite complete and some which were suitable for light aircraft in their original state. In addition, some emergency landing grounds were available for use. but not licensed. "Of paramount importance'also to the expansion of air services, particularly for regularity in bad weather, is the provision of efficient radio facilities." said Mr Semple. "To- this end, the Government's immediate proposals include 12 transmitting and receiving stations, of which 10 are already in operation, 11 direction-finding stations, of which eight are in course of erection, and a number of radio approach beacons for low visibility flying. Other important details to which attention is being given are surface maintenance, lighting, traffic control, building lay-out. meteorological data, and control of obstructions to flying near aerodromes."