Japan Air Lines to fly to N.Z.

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33453, 7 February 1974, Page 15

Japan Air Lines to fly to N.Z.

CVcip Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. Japan Air Lines planes will be flying to Auckland within five years, and Air New Zealand probably will be going to Japan, under the usual reciprocal arrangements.

Talks between the two airlines have been continuing for months, but J.A.L. has now announced its new fiveyear plan, saying bluntly that it planned to inaugurate services on several new routes in the period, including the South Pacific, via Nandi and Papeete, and to extend its Sydney route to Auckland. J.A.L.’s five-year plan is based on a fleet renovation programme, replacing conventional small jets with wide-bodied planes aiming, says the airline, at “higher safety and better service.” By the end of 1976, 15 DCBs will have been retired, and another dozen will be disposed of in the next three years. By the end of 1978, the airline’s fleet of 74

- planes will have grown to ’ 111, including 84 wide-bod- > ied jets. Already, J.A.L. has ordered r six DC 10s, worth about > s2sm each, for delivery / early in 1976. . The airline is also still J interested in the Concorde, ,; having just agreed to extend , its agreement for options on the three of the supersonic planes to the end of next ’ year. Boxing.— The South Seass light j heavy-weight champion. Sunia Cama. has signed a contract in > Suva to challenge the South Seas f heavy-weight title-holder, Fonomanu Sekona (Tonga) in Suva on - March 22. Ski-ing.—G. Thoeni (Italy) led > after the first run of the giant 8 slalom race of the world alpine > ski-ing championships at St Moritz, leading two other Italian competitors H Schmalzl. and P. 1 Gros.