AIR SERVICE TO SYDNEY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26122, 26 May 1950, Page 6

AIR SERVICE TO SYDNEY

FACILITIES WANTED AT EVANS BAY “ SUITABLE AIRCRAFT NOW AVAILABLE ” (New Zeaiana Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 25. His company had always been anxious to operate a service between ; Wellington and Sydney as soon as ' suitable aircraft and the necessary ; facilities were available in Wellington, said the chairman of Tasman Empire Airways. Ltd. (Sir Leonard Isitt), in a statement to-day. “The company now possesses suitable aircraft, and it awaits only the proper facilities at Wellington to enable it to operate.” Sir Leonard Isitt said. Until the Solents arrived, the company did not have the aircraft to enable it to operate with safety into Evans Bay. Sir Leonard Isitt said that before the service could start it was necessary to have adequate lighting, two buoys, one near. the patent slip, which would be the normal operating centre, and an emergency buoy near Miramar wharf to provide a shelter anchorage in heavy southerly weather,

a pontoon to provide for berthing at the patent slip site, marine craft for control and servicing aircraft, buildings to provide shelter for passengers while passing through the health, immigration. and Customs formalities, oil and petrol installations and accommodation for the engineering, servicing, operations, and administrative sections of the company. Sir Leonard Isitt said that in operating commercial air transport services, there were three major factors —first, the safety of passengers and aircraft; second, the economics of operation; and third, the amenities which the travelling public were entitled to. “Any attempt to operate a regular service between Wellington and Sydney without any passenger, technical, and operational facilities at Evans Bay is foredoomed to failure. The company. however, is prepared to introduce a service immediately it

is satisfied the facilities are available to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft, and it. is hoped that these will be available within a very short time.” Detailed plans had been submitted by the company early this year, but these had not been approved as it was considered that the cost was excessive and the company had been asked to resubmit its requirements on a bare minimum basis. “These revised plans were submitted on April 28, and at a meeting with the Ministry of Works on Mav 23 the Commissioner (Mr E. R. McKillop) indicated his agreement. At the moment designing and estimating is proceeding with the utmost urgency, and it is hoped that within a matter of days It will be possible to obtain a firm decision from the Government,” Sir Leonard Isitt con- , eluded.