N.Z. Possible Market For One-Eleven Jets

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30366, 15 February 1964, Page 19

N.Z. Possible Market For One-Eleven Jets

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 13. New Zealand airlines do not appear to be taking particular interest in the shortrange jet, the B.A.C. OneEleven, at present, the British Aircraft Corporation’s chairman (Viscount Portal of Hungerford) said today. Lord Portal, who arrived in Auckland on an eight-day business and pleasure stay, said: “But-we are always in touch with all possible markets and would be pleased to sell here.’’ It was recently reported that the B.AC. One-Eleven was front runner for a possible National Airways Corporation order for five shorthaul jets. Lord Portal said: “I thought N.A.C.’s Viscounts were going to last for some time and that they were in no hurry to replace them at the moment, but if they want some we shall be pleased to sell them.” Since the crash in testing of a B.A.C. One-Eleven im-

provements bad taken place and the company hoped to keep to its delivery dates, he said. The crash was a setback, not only because of loss of time, but also because of the deaths of a “wonderful test team” Tomorrow, Lord Portal—a fighter ace during World War I—will launch the R.A.F. Escaping Society’s New Zealand appeal for £5OOO to assist people who helped pilots evade capture in occupied countries during the war.