To Discuss New Planes For N.A.C.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30934, 15 December 1965, Page 1

To Discuss New Planes For N.A.C.

Mr Jackson McGowan, group vice-presi-dent in charge of aircraft engineering, sales, manufacturing, and service for the Douglas Aircraft Company, will talk to National Airways Corporation executives in Wellington today about selling DC9 aircraft to the N.A.C.

The DC9 costs £1.17m, and Mr McGowan said in Christchurch yesterday that it would be ideal for New Zealand's internal routes. He said the Doublas turbo-jet aircraft had proved to be substantially more efficient, economical and comfortable than its competitors. "We are far out in front in the number of customers,” he said. “We have sold 230 to 25 airlines, and we have options —reasonable options, not just pie-in-the-sky—for 250 more, so we're well ahead of Boeing and BA.C.” The DC9 was made In two sizes, ene with up to 85 tour-ist-class seats and the other with up to 115. The seats were five abreast. Mr McGowan said his company was now studying the possibility of building a smaller aircraft than the DC9, with 50 or 60 seats, it also has in mind a passenger aircraft in the supersonic range with seats for 400 or 500 passengers, and a giant cargo aircraft

"The years from 1975 to 1980 will be the air c * r «° era,” he said. “Air cargo is growing three times as fast as passenger business, and right now it is several hundred million dollar business. It will increase by a factor of 10 in 10 to 15 years.” Mr McGowan said that large

subsonic cargo aircraft would probably be able to cut rates by 40 per cent “What we would obtain for air cargo might never exceed 5 per cent of the total cargo offering,” he said, “but it will be the important 5 per eent We won’t be carrying timber, and 1 don’t think we’ll be carrying bricks, but we will be carrying things like clothing and television sets, where air transport can mean a saving to the exporter.”