Chch international flights sought

Press, 4 November 1978, Page 21

Chch international flights sought

Pan American World Airways will be asked by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to schedule at least one flight each week out of Christchurch. This decision was taken at a meeting of the chamber’s council, after hearing a report from air services committee.

The chamber had previously written to various international airlines “drawing their attention to the existence of Christchurch Airport.” Replies were received from Pan American and British Airs ways.

Pan American replied that it was well aware of Christchurch’s existence, as the airport was its official alternative should Auckland be closed for any reason.

It had five north-bound flights each week out of Auckland. “Up to the present our competitive position has not been

strong enough to consider moving outside Auckland.”

However, New Zealand was becoming an increasingly strong part of Pan American schedules in the South Pacific and as the airline’s activities increased, the claims of the South Island would “not be overlooked.” British Airways said it had only two flights each week from New Zealand — out of Auckland — and that only 20 per cent of the passengers aboard them were from the South Island. The air services committee report recommended that Pan American be asked to consider transferring one of its five weekly flights to Christchurch. It was suggested at the meeting that if, like those of British Airways, 20 per cent of Pan American’s passengers were from the South Island, this move would be appropriate.