FIRST DAY’S OPERATIONS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28952, 21 July 1959, Page 6

FIRST DAY’S OPERATIONS

“Few Problems” (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 20. “The first day’s operation of Wellington Airport has been very successful,” said the airport’s manager (Mr J. W. Redstone) tonight “The only delay of the day was when the second aircraft to take off during the morning—the Viscount carrying the official party to Auckland and back —was held up for a few minutes owing to a fault in the fuel pump.” There had been a few problems, such as parking and the passengers* pre-flight procedure, but they did not take long to iron out and by the end of the day everything had been running smoothly. Mr Redstone estimated that approximately 5000 people visited the airport during the day. “They seemed very impressed with the changes that have taken place here and were wpll behaved.” During the day there were 18 aircraft arrivals .and 18 departures. Ten were by N.A.C., three by Straits Air Freight Express, three by aero clubs, - and two civil aviation planes. National Airways Corporation handled 769 passengers during the day, of which 393 were arrivals and 403 were departures. Straits Air Freight Express moved an approximate 84.0001 b of freight in and out of the airport during the day on six flights. Figures were not available tonight for freight moved by N.A.C.