Airline Unable To Start Flights Yet

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31597, 7 February 1968, Page 24

Airline Unable To Start Flights Yet

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, February 6.

The decision of New Zealand’s newest private internal airline to delay starting its service a fortnight was because of the uncertain arrival of aircraft from the United States, a spokesman said today.

Sky Travel (N.Z.) Ltd, which originally planned to inaugurate its North Island secondary routes service yesterday, will not now do so until February 19, said Mr R. G. Toulson.

It was important, he said, that the airline gave a definite starting date for the service.

The airline will take over two routes serviced by N.A.C. —Hamilton to Gisborne, and Wellington to Masterton.

As N.A.C. scheduled pilots and services a fortnight in advance, a definite date for

the service to begin had to be given well ahead of time, Mr Toulson said. With the new service Hamilton will be directly linked with Tauranga and Napier, as well as Gisborne. Other North Island centres to be serviced by the new airline are Auckland, Rotorua, Whakatane, Taupo, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Masterton and Wellington. Sky Travel (NX), Ltd, is a joint subsidiary of Adastra Aviation, Ltd, Rex Aviation (N.Z.). Ltd, and Mount Mauree Maunganui Stevedores, Ltd. ,