Trans-polar flights to Chch proposed

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 1

Trans-polar flights to Chch proposed

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

An air passenger and freight service, using aircraft in the jumbo-jet class, flying from Buenos Aires to Christchurch via the South Pole, is still very much in the mind of the Argentinean Government, said the Argentinean Ambassador (Dr R. G. Zapata) yesterday. Dr Zapata reminded New Zealanders that his country has had a diplomatic office in Wellington since 1923. The Ambassador said that an Argentine Air Force Hercules flew to Christchurch three years ago. He is deeply concerned about the isolation of his country, and about the isolation of New Zealand and other nations of the South Pacific. Air mail sent from Buenos Aires had taken 15 days to reach his office in Wellington he said. Dr Zapata wants to see the Argentinean airline, Aerolineas Argentinas, establish a commercial schedule into Christchurch via the South Pole to cut 1500 miles off the present route between Argentina and New Zealand. After his discussions with his Government in January, Dr Zapata is waiting for talks between Air New Zealand and the Argentine Air Force.

The Argentine Air Force runs a special airline. Lade to pioneer new routes which at present might be uneconomic. Staffed partly by civilians, Lad. ‘s aircrew belongs to the Argentine Air Force. It is proposed that DCIO aircraft fly the Buenos Aires-C- church route. There is some difficulty in providing the necessary alternate airports on the route, but Dr Zapata said that the Argentine Air Force Antarctic Base at

Marambio would be avail’ able, and that those aircraft taking the Great Circle route over the North Pole, would also have the advantage of using the international airport at Rios Gallegos, on the southern tip of the South American continent. The flight from Buenos Aires would take no more than 11 hours, over the South Pole to Christchurch. he said. The aircraft would carry both passengers and freight, Dr Zapata said.