TASMAN AIR RIGHTS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29466, 18 March 1961, Page 12

TASMAN AIR RIGHTS

Case For Jets Tasman Empire Airways would lose little and New Zealand would , gain, a great deal if Tasman air ■ rights were immediately given to overseas airlines using jet aircraft, said Cr A. R Gufhrey in an address to the Christchurch Junior Chamber. If Christchurch was to become a truly international airport jets would have to be allowed to operate through the city to and from Australia before Auckland’s Mangere airport was opened, he said. The Government was at present giving consideration to conceding Tasman rights to other airlines, but the time was still opportune for the public to exnress its desire for Christchurch to be used as a jet airport. No direct support had been given by the Christchurch City Council to the present move in Christchurch for a citizens’ appeal to the Government because it was felt that such a move should be “a spontaneous expression of public opinion” father than another drive by the council. he said. A greater weight of public opinion would further strengthen the ce'e for the extension of Christchurch airport to jet standards for use by Pan American Airways’ Boeing jets, or the jets of any other international airline. The City Council hoped that the Government, in considering the case, would act independently and without any prompting from departmental heads in Wellington. “They won’t act independently unless public opinion makes said Cr Guthrey.