To Assess Possibilities Of Jumbo Jet Service

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31231, 1 December 1966, Page 1

To Assess Possibilities Of Jumbo Jet Service

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, November 29.

The Civil Aviation Department is investigating the possibilities of an overseas air freight service using two or more £8 million jumbo jets.

The department will shortly ask manufacturers, production boards, exporters, chambers of commerce, and allied Government departments to assess their air freight needs before it makes a decision.

The wide-scale investigation was announced today by Mr D. F. Toms, Director of Air Services Policy, who described New Zealand’s prospects in the air freight field as “quite staggering.”

If the department finds a jumbo jet service can be run economically, it will recommend the purchase of the Boeing 747 or the bigger Lockheed 500, he said. Both aircraft are still in the planning stages, but are expected to be in service by 1969.

Mr Toms said a mixed pas-senger-freight version would be the most likely choice for New Zealand. Passenger fares would compensate for the unused freight space. The service could increase New Zealand’s export earnings by many millions of pounds, he said. “At this stage we have no accurate ideas of the costs involved and this is why we are calling together everyone involved. In this way we can decide whether or not jumbo jets could operate economically from New Zealand,” he said.

In a few days the department would send circulars to all producer boards, manufacturers, chambers of commerce and some Government departments and arrange a meeting of all parties. “New Possibilities” Mr Toms foresees “tremendous new possibilities” for New Zealand with jumbo jets. Among the advantages he lists are the expert of boneless, chilled meat and unlimited varieties of perishable products, such as strawberries and asparagus; new markets for New Zealand produce; and new products for export. Mr Toms said: “Before we can say what costs are involved, we must assess the air freight potential of the coun-

try. At the moment we’re only guessing. “To run such a service economically, the aircraft must be used to the fullest. There are many other factors also, including aircraft operating costs, handling costs, airline costs and other indirect costs which must be considered."

Airport Needs

He said if jumbo jets were introduced, a terrific freight complex would be required, but he dismissed as unlikely a suggestion that special freight airports would have to be built.

“We’re envisaging largescale airport planning to cope with these big jets and we will see that Air New Zealand is treated with priority," he said.

Mr Toms said any fears that a jumbo jet service might take business away from shipping companies, were “ridiculous.” He said just one jumbo jet could carry 20,000 tons of cargo out of New Zealand annually, compared with the total air freight of 3700 tons exported in the year ending last March. In the same period, shipping companies carried 11 million tons.