Rongotai-Harewood Feeder Service Held Impracticable

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 3

Rongotai-Harewood Feeder Service Held Impracticable

The National Airways Corporation considers impracticable the provision of a feeder service between Rongotai and Harewood airports to connect with trans-Tasman flights. This information is contained in a letter from the corporation’s general manager (Mr J. J. Busch) received by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The letter was considered by a committee set up by the chamber, whose president (Mr R. A. Witbrock) said yesterday that the committee was not satisfied with certain aspects of the reply. Sir Leonard Isitt, chairman of directors of Tasman Airways, had promised to visit Christchurch and the committee had asked him to arrange his visit for an early date. Other organisaions represented at the meeting called by the chamber were the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, the Canterbury Employers’ Association, the CanterburyWestland Retailers’ Association and the Canterbury Progress League. The meeting passed a resolution urging the corporation to introduce adequate feeder services between Rongotai and Harewood to connect with the transTasman services. “A feeder service from Rongotai to Harewood . . . has been examined, but has been considered as impracticable with the Heron, which is the only aircraft we have capable of operating from Rongotai,” said Mr Busch in his reply. “The Heron aircraft were purchased for the short haul work on the Cook Strait service, and the timetable pattern required for this commitment is such that a Heron aircraft is not available when the departure would be required for a connexion at Harewood. Heron “Uneconomic”

‘/Even if the Heron was available, it is a feeder line aircraft, and the length of fllight Rongotai-Harewood and payload then available is such that we consider it an uneconomic proposition for this service,” said Mr Busch. . “The increased operating cost of this aircraft, compared with the DC-3, would require a fare of approximately £5 15s, even allowing for the reduced cost of surface transport to Rongotai. When compared with the present DC-3 fare of £4 0s 6d from Paraparaumu, this is not attractive. When the new Rongotai is available, the position will be considerably and favourably changed. We hardly need say the corporation is most anxious to recommence operation from Rongotai, not only because of any overseas connexions but of the immense importance to all our internal services. “In view of your present inquiries it is appropriate to illustrate just what the new Rongotai will mean. You are no doubt aware that the. corporation is actively examining prospects of a replacement aircraft for the DC-3, our present main fleet y Examples of flight times, by comparison with the DC-3, were given by Mr Busch as follows: Service

These times were subject to minor alteraton, which should not exceed five minutes either way, said Mr Busch. “The Fokker Friendship and Handley Page H.P. (R) 3 are not yet in production, but prototypes are expec--1 ted to be flying about the middle of ; 1955,” he said. Replacement of Dakotas “No decision has yet been made as to the ultimate replacement of the DC-3 and the comparisons are shown

only as prominent examples of Yvhat could be expected.” said Mr Busch. “Your particular reference in regard to probable inconvenience by connexions with our schedule services m the event of any variation in the landing or departure times of trans-Tas-man arcraft is fully understood. “We are not aware of any air services throughout the world which do not have the same problem, and we are applying the universal practice of special allotments on suitable connecting schedule flights. If the occasion requires, these could be supplemented by previously arranged special flights. “The corporation has made special allotments of seats on appropriate flights for passengers connecting with and arriving from Tasman Empire Airways services, and in this respect we have been able to meet the seating allocation requested. “All passengers arriving or departing from Harewood do not proceed to Wellington, and the regular scheduling of a special aircraft for this purpose canhot as yet show sufficient support to be justified. The position will be kept under constant review to meet any changed circumstances that may warrant amendment to the present procedures. , , x “Replying to the other point you raised, we desire to point out that a passenger in Australia is able to book through directly to Wellington (Paraparaumu) or any other point in the North or South Island, by applying for the internal flight when booking the overseas section. . “Your chamber’s interest m the air services provided or proposed by the corporation is fully appreciated' and you can be assured that we will always endeavour to give the best possible service throughout the country as well as to provide the most reasonable overseas connexion,” Mr Busch said.

Mr Witbrock’s Comment Mr Witbrock said it appeared that the whole case against an efficient feeder service being instituted was based on the time-table pattern between Rongotai and Blenheim and Christchurch and Australia. “The meeting was not satisfied that these time-tables were not capable of rearrangement to permit special feeder services from Rongotai,” Mr Witbrock said. “’fhe difference in fare of £1 14s 6d does not appear to be an obstacle in the way of establishing a feeder service by Heron, as it is considered that intending passengers would gladly pay this extra for the time saved in the use of Rongotai, and in any case this special charge is very small indeed compared with the total cost of Rongotai, which runs into some millions. “The promised visit of Sir Leonard Isitt to discuss these questions is therefore awaited, and a request is going forward to him for this to be arranged at an early date. “When the flying times for fast aircraft, quoted in the corporation’s letter, are considered, the advantages of operating from Rongotai are obvious and point to the need for its early completion,” concluded Mr Witbrock.

Rongotal- RongotaiAircraft Whenuapl Harewood Vickers , Viscount Ihr 20min 57 mln Fokker , Friendship Ihr 35min Ihr 5min Handley Page H.P. (R) 3 2hr 5mln Ihr 25min Douglas __ , DC-3 2hr lOmln Ihr 25min