Wellington to keep its DC8 service

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34138, 27 April 1976, Page 22

Wellington to keep its DC8 service

* LES BLOXHA\J. travel editor o[ "The Press ) , AUCKLAND. April 26. Rongotai’s inability to handle D(J10 aircraft would cost Air New Zealand more than s3m a year, the airline’s director of corporate planning (Mr (>. W. Matheson ) told a news media forum in Auckland today.

But Mr Matheson and several other of the airline's executives made it very clear that, despite the cost. Air New Zealand would continue to service Wellington. "Direct flights to the capital are essential for the well-being of the whole Wellington area and should continue to be provided by Air New Zealand,” he said, emphasising that while an all-DCIO fleet was a desirable goal, it would not be sought

by withdrawing the existing DCB service. In an interview’ in “The, Press” last w’eek. the air- i ’’line's chairman (Mr C. J. ■ Keppel) said Air New Zealand would have to retain; ■two DCB aircraft for Well-! (ington, instead of being able; ■.to standardise on the morel DCIOs by 1978. ' i Today Mr Matheson conI firmed that Rongotai’s run-; ■ way’ would need to be; . extended by more than one-, i quarter of a mile before i • DClOs could operate there ’ : Additional length again ■would be needed for Boeing! 747 (Jumbo) aircraft. "In the absence of such an extension permitting an all-; DCIO operation, there would be economic penalties on Air New’ Zealand exceeding. s3m a year,” he said. Mr Matheson added that a DCIO service would benefit Wellington by providing a significant improvement in its air cargo service. There w’ouid also be less noise thanl with the DCBs. In the meantime Wellingtonians can rest assured that: •their direct link with Aus-1 tralia will be continued at! Air New Zealand’s expense; until — at the country’s — the runway is extended.