More flights set for Chch

Press, 11 May 1977, Page 2

More flights set for Chch

Christchurch will gain at least five extra National Airways Corporation flights each week — at the expense of Palmerston North.

The increase arises from modifications to timetables, which reflect changing patterns of passenger flow on main and provincial routes.

The changes will become effective on August 19. There will be extra flights on the main trunk route between Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. and improvements to the Wanganui and Taupo services.

It is believed that Christchurch will be allotted at least one extra flight for the main trunk route each week day, probably during the early afternoon. There are up to 25 NAC. flights out of Christchurch each day at present abou* 20 of them on the main route between Dunedin and Auckland.

A partial withdrawal of the Boeing service to Palmerston North w ! il allow N.A.C. to provide the extra flights during the peak afternoon period on the main routes.

However, the Palmerston North Boeing service trill still be available during peak holiday periods. When it is not

working, it will be replaced by two return Friendship services between Palmerston North and Christchvreh. The general manager of N.A.C. (Mr D. A. Patterson) said that N.A.C. was aware of the importance of an efficient service to Palmerston North. To compensate for the drop in freight-carrying capacity caused by the change, four extra freighter services would fly each week. Friendship services bound for Palmerston North will leave Christchurch at 10.30 a.m. and 4.20 p.m. Some anomalies in the Wanganui and Taupo services will be -ectified. Passengers will be able o travel to and from Wellington by morning and afternoon services from August. This service, and a new route between Wellington, Wanganui, Whakatane, and Auckland, will replace the morning loop service to Wanganui.

Air Services Licensing Authority approval will be needed for the changes, which will affect only week-day services. An NJK.C. spokesman said that week-end services would be planned to follow the usual passenger flows.