VISCOUNT FLIGHTS FROM RONGOTAI

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29002, 17 September 1959, Page 16

VISCOUNT FLIGHTS FROM RONGOTAI

Mr Mathison Replies To Complaint ' t tom Out Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. A complaint that during the present restricted time-table operating from Wellington airport provision was made for five Viscount flights each way daily between Wellington and Christchurch and only three between Wellington and Auckland, was answered in the House of Representatives this afternoon by the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Mathison). Five northern Government members had submitted a list of written questions asking why Christchurch was being favoured by comparison with Auckland, and whether a later plane could be provided In his reply Mr Mathison said that as from November 1 a Viscount service would leave Wellington airport for Auckland at 6 p.m. each day. “At present the National Airways Corporation is restricted to a limited number of reasonably spaced movements into and out of Wellington airport,” said Mr Mathison. “This will continue until the aerodrome is fully operational and available for night flying. The possibility of increased movements is being discussed between the corporation and the Civil Aviation Administration to permit the present 6.40 p.m. flight from Paraparaumu to fly from Wellington airport. “It should be appreciated that flights to Christchurch carry transit passengers for centres further south, and that the last Viscounts out of Wellington for Auckland and Christchurch later complete direct flights between Auckland and Christchurch.”