TASMAN AIR SERVICES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27404, 17 July 1954, Page 6

TASMAN AIR SERVICES

Use Of Ohakea Sought EARLY DECISION EXPECTED (New Zealand. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 16. Tasman Empire Airways has applied to the Government for permission to use Ohakea as an international airport. The company hopes to start operations there within three months, with three flights a week. In December and January, the weekly flights would be increased to four nights, and in the winter months would decrease to two. The company’s proposals have been submitted to the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr T. L. Macdonald), and a full statement is expected from the Cabinet soon. Ohakea -is a major base for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and a wetweather subsidiary field for internal services of the National Airways Corporation. It is 92 miles from Wellington. If the Cabinet approves Tasman Airways’ proposals, the provision of base services will be the biggest item in expenditure. Amenities to be provided will include customs, traffic, catering, baggage, quarantine and staff accommodation, with hangar and workshop space. The workshop at the Evans Bay flying-boat base, and possibly the passenger terminal, may be 'dismantled and re-erected at Ohakea. “If anybody has a spanner in the works, then he can withdraw it now,” said the Mayor of Wellington (Mr R. L. Macalister), commenting on Tasman Airways’ application to use Ohakea as an international terminal. “The application is. in full accord with what I understand were the considered views of expert operators and administrators,” said Mr Macalister. “The fact that the company is able to indicate the number of operations planned for Ohakea each week, in both ordinary and peak periods, shows that it has given careful consideration to the requirements of the travelling public. “But many people must find it difficult to understand all the delay about the announcement of facts which have always spoken for themselves,” Mr Macalister concluded.