S.I. SCENIC FLIGHTS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29770, 13 March 1962, Page 17

S.I. SCENIC FLIGHTS

Demand From Tourists

One-clay scenic flights from Christchurch to Milford Sound, pioneered to a large extent by the late Captain B. G. Chadwick and his Air Charter (New Zealand), Ltd, are being continued on tourist demand by Canterbury Air Taxis, a division of the Canterbury Aero Club. According to tihe manager of tiae club, Mr R. F. Short, the route flown will be the same as Captain Chadwick's. A Piper Apache is being used, and so that facilities for tourist traffic can be maintained a seven-seater Dominie has been hired by the club from another firm.

‘‘We have taken over the run winich Air Charier operated mainly because of the demand for such a flight by overseas tourists,” said Mr Short. “We expect this particular flight wiill gio on assisting in a practical effort to promote tourism in the South Island.” He said the club had flown to Milford Sound and to Mount Cook in the past and it was now being operated on a more regular and frequent service to keep available the facilities which Air Charter provided. The flights only take place in perfect flying weather, said Mr Short. Last week they were cancelled on four successive days because of bad weather.

A spokesman at the Government Tourist Bureau, which handled the bookings, said that for a time after tihe Dragonfly with five persons aboard was lost on the scenic flight on February 12, bookings diminished, but of late they were again "on the up once more.”