Approval For Club Flights Withdrawn

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29841, 6 June 1962, Page 19

Approval For Club Flights Withdrawn

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 5. The Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine* today withdrew his approval tn principle of fights to Brito.n by the Overseas Visitors Club He said he regarded the application for flights as defunct. His decision comes after refusal by the United Kingdom Air Transport Licensing Board for Caledonian Airways to operate the flights.. Earlier. Mr McAlp.ne approved in principle the idea of a series of 12 flights between New Zealand and England.' subject to final consideration when application was made by an airline operator selected by the club. Mr McAlpine today said the club had sought permiss on for such flights several times in the last three years. New Zealand had been unable to agree Some countries, including Australia, consistently refused to permit operations for the club In 1961. however, a number of stipulations had been worked out, and accepted by the club, in an attempt to ensure the flights provided for new air traffic of people with a genuine common interest. On this basis the Minister said he had given approval in principle. Mr McAlpine denied press suggestions that he had given his approval in the .belief that the British Government would prevent the flights taking place. "It seemed to me that the club could offer benefits to some New- Zealanders and I did not want to restrict their freedom unnecessarily. "However. I had to weigh up the question of whether these,operations were for a genuine "common interest group" or not “I was influenced in favour of the club by the United Kingdom Government previously regarding such flights for the club as permissible.” Publicity in N.Z. Since then the club had been associated with extensive publicity in New, Zealand. This tended to suggest the over-riding object of the flights was to offer air travel to the public rather than to provide for a common interest group. As a result the United Kingdom Air Transport Li-

censing Board had rejected an application by Caledonian Airways to operate the flights. This in itself would prevent the fl.ghts taking place. But there had also been difficulty through the club attempting to induce Australians to join the flights in direct conflict with the Australian Government’s policy. As well, the airline had lost one cf its two aircraft in a fatal accident in Africa. Mr McAlpine said he had seen press reports that the club was seeking permission to land flights from New Zealand in Paris or Luxembourg. “This appears to be an attempt to circumvent the laws and policies of the United Kingdom." Mr McAlpine said "No such proposal has been “put before me. If it were I should think it most unlikely to be approved. I am acting on the assumption that the club’s proposal for flights to England is defunct and have told its representatives that my approval in principle has been withdrawn.” the Minister said.