T.E.A.L FLIGHTS TO FIJI

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29189, 27 April 1960, Page 7

T.E.A.L FLIGHTS TO FIJI

Pan American Move “Forestalled”

Behind the announcement of a weekly service by T.E.A.L. between Fiji and Christchurch via Auckland was probably the Government’s desire to forestall a possible request from Pan American Airways to fly DC-7’s from Fiji to Christchurch, Cr. A. R. Guthrey told a luncheon meeting of the Christchurch Accountant Students’ Society yesterday. Three days before the Minister’s announcement of the new service, he had received a message from the director of Pan American in Auckland indicating that the company's next step would probably be to replace the Stratocruiser aircraft now operating between Fiji and Auckland with DC-7’s. Realising that DC-7’s might be turned down as unsuitable for landing at Auckland’s airport, Pan American had indicated that they might then ask permission to land them at Christchurch instead.

Cr. Guthrey said he hoped the introduction of a T.E.A.L. service would not justify the Government refusing such a request. He did not share the Minister of Civil Aviation’s belief that the new T.E.A.L. flights would provide an effective feeder service for American tourists to the South Island. “They won’t get off at Nandi and fly to Christchurch. New Zealand passengers will be the main users, and that is a good thing too, but restricted competition for T.E.A.L. would be a stimulus to that airline,’’ he said.

Pan American, by using a DC-7 between Fiji and New Zealand would tend to create additional traffic from Americans. “The main idea seems to be complete protection for T.E.A.L. but at what cost?” Cr. Guthrey asked, turning to the matter of Pan American rights across the Tasman and the desirability of its jet aircraft flying regularly to Christchurch. “We must not lose sight of the main object of our Christchurch airport—to increase and develop the tourist industry,” he said. Jet aircraft created its own traffic and increased tourist traffic, he believed. Airline seats were sold on the basis of speed and time and £lOO million a year would be spent by Americans in Pacific travel. The Boeing jet was capable of flying from Honolulu to Christchurch in 12 hours.

Eventually T.E.A.L. must develop into a world airline just as New Zealand shipping companies had done. In the meantime it would help the airline, not hinder it. to have restricted competition from other airlines, he believed.