NEW SHORT-RANGE DOUGLAS AIRLINER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30393, 18 March 1964, Page 18

NEW SHORT-RANGE DOUGLAS AIRLINER

A new jet airliner suitable for internal use in New Zealand will be off the assembly line in 12 months, Mr Donald Douglas, jun, president of Douglas Aircraft, said in Christchurch yesterday. The aircraft is the twin-jet Douglas DC9, which will have a cruising speed of little more than 500 m.p±. and an economic range between airports of 200 and 1500 miles. It will carry 60 to 80 passengers and use runways as short as 6000 ft.

The company has orders already for 24 DC9’s, and options for another three dozen or so, said Mr Douglas. “We can see a market for about 1000 aircraft of this class in the world as a whole,

but of course there is some pretty stiff competition.” The strongest competition was probably from the British Aircraft Corporation’s BJtC. one-eleven. “Naturally, however, we think we have the better machine,” Mr Douglas said. “It will go slightly further, carry a little more payload, and have a rather more spacious fuselage.” The DC9's would be running test certifications in 1965, and would be ready for airlines about the beginning of 1966. Mr Douglas will have talks on the DC9 and other matters in Wellington day with officials of the New Zealand National Airways Corporation. Another main reason for his visit Mr Douglas said, was to meet Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd, officials to discuss the introduction of Douglas

DCB’s after the company's recent contract to buy these aircraft He was “delighted” with the T.E.A.L. decision.

Asked for his thoughts on the future of New Zealand’s overseas air contacts, Mr Douglas said New Zealand should concentrate on arranging for direct links with major world centres. This would lead to a greatly increased tourist interest in the country, he thought In addition. New Zealand was in an excellent position to pioneer “unusual” routes, such as across Antarctica Modern aircraft could safely travel these routes, and the cold air made for more efficient Jet operation, he said, if regular links could be established with, for example, the South American countries, trade should swiftly follow. I