P.A.A. FAVOURS FARE CUTS

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 1

P.A.A. FAVOURS FARE CUTS

<N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 21. Pan American World Airways wants fares reduced on South Pacific routes to help boost passenger numbers and tourism, but is not very optimistic about cuts being achieved. This was made clear in Auckland yesterday by the airline president, Mr Najeeb E. Halaby, when he arrived for a short good-will and information-gathering visit Mr Halaby said Pan American would continue to work on the idea of lowering fares within the International Air Transport Association, although the likelihood of reductions was not great because of opposition in some 'quarters. He would not be

drawn on where this opposition would come from. ' Mr Halaby said he was not visiting New Zealand with the idea of strengthening the Pan American share of air rights into the country, or to try to prevent other airlines gaining rights. “We have nothing to negotiate, no proposals to push," he said. “We will not in any way attemnt to block or restrain any other carriers entering the market The less restriction you have on travel the more chance there is for growth. “As far as having too many carriers on the run is concerned, there is an excellent curb on over-supply through profit, which is a pretty good check on us all.” What New Zealand did was up to the country itself; while it was clear that Air New

Zealand, an excellent airline with growing strength and capability, was able to look after itself. Mr Halaby said Pan American would like to help develop top quality tourism in New Zealand. “The people we would like to see coming here would be the tranquil, the literate, the creative and the thoughtful.” The company had recently been giving thought to the idea of providing an endless winter for skiers, allowing them to ski in the northern hemisphere during the winter, then to travel south for continued ski-ing. Asked about plans for the introduction of the Boeing 747, a super jet airliner seating 362 people, Mr Halaby said the airline would take delivery of the first aircraft before the end of the year and it would be started on the

popular routes next year. It would probably be put on the South Pacific run, through Nandi to Sydney, about the middle of next year. In the meantime, it was possible that a 747 would come‘to New Zealand on a demonstration flight. While in New Zealand Mr Halaby will have talks with the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall), the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon), and the Minister of Tourism (Mr Thomson), as well as senior Government officials in aviation and tourism. Mr Halaby also said that while in New Zealand he would have talks with “interested parties” on the prospect of Pan American adding to its international chain of hotels.

The company holds 40 per cent in the Intercontinental Hotel, Auckland.