INTERNAL AIR PASSENGERS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28080, 22 September 1956, Page 13

INTERNAL AIR PASSENGERS

NATIONAL AIRWAYS’ TRAFFIC RISE OF 11 PER CENT. LAST YEAR “The Preu** Special Service ; WELLINGTON. September 21. . The National Airways Corporation • carried 426,295 passengers in the year ended March 31, 1956; an increase of about 11 per cent, on the previous 12 : months, when the number was 383.354. . A spokesman for the corporation . said that an increase of at least 11 per cent, was expected for the year . ended March 31, 1957. Passenger r traffic had received a considerable boost during the winter months as the ‘ result of the Springboks’ tour. The service was reaching the stage j when the Viscounts were needed to cope with the increased traffic on the a trunk routes, between Auckland, Wel- ' lington and Christchurch. The first j of the three Viscounts on order Was 1 expected toward the end of 1957, another in January or February, 1958, B and the third later that year. These larger-capacity aircraft, with s their comfort and speed, were ex--1 pected to stimulate passenger traffic. The spokesman said that the open- " ing of Rongotai airport Would also ’ tend to boost traffic, as it would 1 eliminate the tedious bus journey to Paraparaumu.