FOG KEEPS AIRPORT CLOSED ALL DAY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29841, 6 June 1962, Page 12

FOG KEEPS AIRPORT CLOSED ALL DAY

Fog closed the Christchurch airport to all scheduled air services yesterday, causing the cancellation of 44 inward and outward flights. Widespread fog in coastal Canterbury this morning is forecast. Apart from half an hour from 12.45 p.m.. during which three DC3 aircraft held up from Monday left for Wellington. no aircrat could use the airport. About 750 passengers, including more than 250 held up by Monday's disruption, were affected

Dunedin-bound passengers on the National Airways Corporation Auckland to Christchurch Viscount had a quick trip home when the aircraft flew to Momona —the first direct Auckland - Dunedin flight by the corporation.

The Viscount landed at Momona soon after midday. Of the 60 passengers aboard. 40 were for Christchurch, and were brought back to the city by rail. About 500 persons had

booked to leave Christchurch by air yesterday, and. of these, about 400 went north on the steamer-express la-t evening. The ship had 450 vacant berths at 11 a.m.. but by 1.15 pun. there were only 30 not taken.

Passengers for the south - TTmaru. Dunedin, and Invercargill—were taken by road and rail.

Passenger* at the NA C. depot in the city, who were queueing six deep at the counters late yesterday afternoon, were most tolerant of the disruption, said the branch manager (Mr J. E Davies). Many had asked for refunds, and cho*en to make their own travel arrangements. while others booked for flights today, he said.

At least 100 persons have rebooked on scheduled and special flights to the north today. Electra Affected

The Tasman Empire Airways Electra due at Harewood at 11.15 a.m. from Wellington on its way to Melbourne had to stay at Wellington because of the closure. The 63 Australianbound passengers from Christchurch left for Wellington on the steamer-express last evening. The aircraft will fly direct from Wellington to Melbourne today. Three DC3 aircraft from Wellington which should t ve landed at Harewocd operated through Ashburton yesterday, the passengers being brought to Christchurch by bus. Two of these planes left Ashburton again with North Island passengers aboard.

Two DC3s of S.P.AN.Z. also landed at Ashburton early yesterday afternoon, one from Nelson and the other from Invercargill. On board the Nelson aircraft was the Canterbury colts Rugby te«m. They, and other Christchurch passengers were brought back to the citv by bus.

Fog ™ general over Christchurch Last evening, slowing motorists, but in no place w** it thick enough to disrupt traffic seriously. There was no fog over the Port Hill*.