Hobart flight bookings advertised

Press, 11 June 1980, Page 2

Hobart flight bookings advertised

NZPA Sydney Trans-Australia Airlines is taking bookings for the first Christchurch - to - Tasmania flights even though the route has yet to be approved by the Australian Government. A big advertisement in the “Hobart Mercury” newspaper yesterday said that T.A.A. would now accept bookings for the first flights on a first come, first served basis. However it said that the route had yet to be approved by the Federal Government but was “cautiously optimistic” that this would be forthcoming.

Boeing 727 T jets would be used for the flights which would enable New Zealanders to enjoy Tasmania’s tourist facilities, in particular the Wrest Point casino. The fare for the Christ-church-Hobart flight was not given in the T.A.A. advertisement as that would not be determined until Government approval was gained, it said. Discussions on a Christ-church-Tasmania route have been going on for more than two years but it has still to be resolved which carrier will fly the route. It is a hot political issue in Australia for, if T.A.A. or Ansett Airlines, the internal carriers, are allowed to make the flights it will set a precedent for a second Australian international airline in competition with Qantas.

The last word on the subject, although still subject to confirmation, was that Qantas. would make the Christ-church-Tasmania flights with the help of a Government subsidy to cover the expected losses, and would lease planes from the domestic carriers. The Australian Government has indicated it is in favour of the route but has yet to make the necessary final decisions.