AIRPORT OPEN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29909, 24 August 1962, Page 10

AIRPORT OPEN

Decision At 2.15 P.M.

The Christchurch airport was closed for air operations from 11.5 a.m. to 11.20 a.m. yesterday, but it was open at all other times and just before the Royal aircraft had been scheduled to arrive at 5.20 p.m. conditions were the best of the day, said the airport manager (Mr A. I. R. Jamieson).

The southerly wind was 15 knots, there was 4-Bths cloud at 700 ft, 8-Bth ait 7000 ft and visibility was 15 miles. Mr Jamieson saud he realised that official decisions about the. change in arrangements had to be made early in the afternoon but, in the event, it was unfortunate that the flight had been cancelled. From the time low cloud gathered at 10 28 a m.. Royal New Zealand Air Force off! cers at Whenuapai r-espon-' sible for the Royal flight arrangements sought halfhourly weather reports from both the Wigram station and Christchurch airport. After many telephone calls between Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, the decision to cancel the Royal flight was taken about 2 15 pm.

When the decision wa* made the airport was oper to flying, but canceHatiot was based on late afternoor weather forecasts. Accord ing to the Weather Office a) the airport, the Royal aircraft then had only a 45 per cent chance of landing at its scheduled 5.25 p.m' arrival time.

The forecast was tor a cloud ceiling between 300 ft and 400 ft towards darkness The Royal Viscount needs a ceiling of 500 ft Christchurch airport was open for flying until 1028 am. when doud. down to 200 ft, closed in. Flights recommenced ait 11.20 am. Some aircraft got away during the hour, but none landed. Building Decorated The Christchurch airport terminal building was gay with national and airline flags yesterday for the expected arrival of the Royal visitors, and a short avenue between the main building and an adjoining hangar was walled with flags of the United Nations and tubbed plants. Last evening the Royal couple would have moved directly from their aircraft to cars waiting on the tarmac and then driven between the buildings and out of the airport. When they leave for Dunedin tomorrow morning they will go out the same way Crowds may watch from the terminal When King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit return from Dunedin to the airport on Sunday, before their departure for Australia, they will enter the terminal proper for a short period The overseas passenger lounges will be used for the occasion. The middle lounge will be used for the Royal couple, and the end one for the Governor-General (Lord Cobham) and the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and their parties.