ANTARCTIC TOURIST FLIGHT SCHEME

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31762, 20 August 1968, Page 1

ANTARCTIC TOURIST FLIGHT SCHEME

(From Our Own Reporter >

WELLINGTON, August 19.

A scheme to fly tourists to the Antarctic, using Christchurch Airport as the main New Zealand base, is in process of negotiation, according to Captain J. F. Holm, managing director of the Holm Shipping Company.

Captain Hohn said tonight that the plan was to anchor the Danish ship Magga Dan, on charter to the Holm Company, at McMurdo Sound. She would be used as a hotel and base for the tourists.

“We asked Air New Zealand some time ago whether

they would be interested,” said Captain Holm. “They have been considering it, and I have been advised recently that the reaction is favourable so far —but, of course, much remains to be worked out.”

Captain Holm did not know what type of aircraft would be used. It is believed that both the DCB and the Lockheed Electra could handle the assignments.

The Electra has the required range. Air New Zealand had only had a very “elementary” look at the technical problems of flying tourists to the Antarctic, said a spokesman in Auckland tonight, according to the Press Association. The spokesman said that there had been no firm approach from Holm and Company, Ltd. “If the company comes up with a firm proposal we would then have a serious look at this,” he said. “We are definitely interested in further studies of the question, for our own satisfaction.”