By Air To Dunedin Via Mt. Cook And Lakes

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 10

By Air To Dunedin Via Mt. Cook And Lakes

A new air link, which will give tourists quick access to Mount Cook and the southern lakes by way of Dunedin as well as from Christchurch, opened yesterday with strong support. Exactly two years ago. Mount Cook Airlines inaugurated a DC3 service from Christchurch to its own Tasman airfield at Mount Cook and then made extensions to Cromwell and Te Anau—the nearest airfield licensed for DC3’s in the lakes region. Operating only three days a week, the airline has carried more than 5000 passengers in mx months. From this month there will be further extensions to Dunedin and Invercargill so that passengers entering through Christchurch may have air links with main trunk services in the south and so that those heading inland from the south may do so by air. Flight frequencies have been increased to six a week. Advance reservations for the next six months indicate that the idea appeals to tourists planning to stop at the tourist

resorts. An unexpected bonus, evident yesterday, is that some visitors may travel from Christchurch to Mount Cook and the lakes, and Dunedin (or vice versa) in one day if pressed for time.

This makes a superb scenic flight taking in the glaciers. Mount Cook and all other major peaks, and many of the lakes in little more than three hours. No time is wasted on the ground. The turn-round time at Mount Cook and Cromwell is under five minutes, the captain, co-pilot, and purser unloading a planeful of passengers (26) and their luggage and taking cn the same number with buses standing six feet away. This rush enables the service to connect with through flights at Christchurch and Dunedin. Yesterday, passengers who had breakfasted in Auckland lunched at either Mount Cook or Queenstown. Some picked up in the south were in Auckland last night Overseas tourists (chiefly from America and Asia) predominated, but there were also New Zealanders on holiday, some men of the United States Antarctic force, and a surprising number who fly to or from their jobs in the tourist resorts at week-ends.

They all enjoyed splendid views throughout all sectors of the flight over Canterbury, the alpine lakes, and Central Otago, made more informative by frequent commentaries oh points of interest For two professional men going to help build the Mount Cook National Park Board’s plateau hut, the quick flight meant nearly a whole day saved.