S.P.A.N.Z.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30530, 27 August 1964, Page 12

S.P.A.N.Z.

Sir, —1 have found the S.P.A.N.Z. service to Nelson rather unsatisfactory. On two occasions when 1 travelled, the plane left Harewood late although there- was fine weather and the plane was standing waiting on the tarmac. There is no return trip on Wednesdays and a person flying to Nelson on S.P.A.N.Z. on Tuesday must return via Wellington at much increased cost. .The lack of pressurisation of the DC3s which are used is causing some discomfort to people like myself who are suffering from toothache. There is no S.P.A.N.Z transport to and from the airport, and one has to pay extra for it, I would have preferred travelling by N.A.C., had I had a chance.—Yours etc., TRAVELLER. August 20, 1964. - [The general manager of S.P.A.N.Z., Captain R. D. Daniell, replies: “‘Traveller’ does not state any dates which would enable us to check on the delay question. Before S.P.A.N.Z. initiated the service referred to, the passenger would have made all his journeys via Wellington, and N.A.C.’s planning for some years ahead from 1960 did not include a Nelson-Christchurch direct service, so that it is likely that a Wellington routing would have been offered even at this date. In 25 vears of aviation, this is the first time I have heard of

toothache being related to air pressure in flight. There is ground transport •to and from all S.P.A.N.Z. flights as an optional extra cost. In consequence, 80 per cent of our passengers travel 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than N.A.C. because the option to use the transport is not exercised.”]