EXPANSION OF AIRPORTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 9

EXPANSION OF AIRPORTS

Overseas Cities’ Problems

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. Nov. 20.

In the United States and Europe alike, cities which had thought they had built their airports and terminals with a margin for the future were today rebuilding and expanding at immense cost, said Sir Leonard Isitt. chairman of National Airways Corporation and Tasman Empire Airways Ltd.

He was referring in an interview to the tremendous growth of air travel overseas. Sir Leonard' Isitt recently returned after a tour of two. months, during which he studied developments in airways operation in America, Britain and Europe since his last visit some three years ago. With the general managers of T.E.A.L (Mr F. A. Reeves), and of N.A.C. (Mr J. J. Busch), he discussed with manufacturers various aircraft under consideration as future replacements for T.E.A.B.’s Electras and N.A.C. 's airliners.

Sir Leonard Isitt said that since his previous tour the allround expansion was everywhere most impressive. The . airlines were meeting the pressure well, and once passengers were in the air they .were well looked after, but passenger handling on the ground had not been able to keep step, partly because terminal facilities were outgrown and partly because traffic staffs were , inadequate. He said that San Francisco. Los Angeles, Paris, Amsterdam. Zurich and other cities which had all been confident in their: airport planning for years to come were in a similar situation.' Only two years ago. Zurich was being held up as an example of airport foresight, and today, there were plans for doubling the capacity of passenger facilities.

Girls Apprehended.— Two girls ! who escaped from the Mount i Magdala Home on November 13 were found in Christchurch yes- j terday and have been returned' to the home by the police. Four j girls escaped and split into two, parties. The police dog Ace >: trailed two of them across pad- < docks in Halswell to bush and they were apprehended. The* other two were missing for a i week.