‘Revamp Japan link'

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 4

‘Revamp Japan link'

A direct air link between Christchurch and Japan could be established sooner if the South Island pushed its agricultural, rather than tourist trade with Japan. This was the impression gained by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Hamish Hay during a recent weeklong visit to Tokyo and Kurashiki, Christchurch’s sister-city.

Mr Hay met Japan Air Lines officials, who were particularly interested in the potential of air-freighting fish, agricultural and horticultural products.

“I formed the impression that if Christchurch business and farming interests were to present a strong case to J.A.L. based on air freight of our South Island food products to the vast Japanese market, we might be able to persuade them to operate out of Christchurch Airport much sooner than waiting for the tourist market to develop,” Mr Hay said.

Mr Hay said he asked J.A.L. to support plans for extending Christchurch airport’s runway, and he expected a letter from the air-! fine “in due course.”

The airline would probably push soon for the rights to fly across the Tasman to serve the Australian market as well as New Zealand. He hoped that if this eventuated, J.A.L. would consider a Tasman service from Christchurch to Sydney or Melbourne, although this would probably be resisted

by Qantas and Air New Zealand.

Tour groups from Kurashiki to Christchurch, including youth exchange trips between scouts, girl guides and secondary' school pupils, were strongly advocated by the Mayor of Kurashiki (Mr Y. Takizzawa). Christchurch, and the rest of the South Island, may also be featured in the Kurashiki City Council’s former offices, w'hich are being converted into a library, museum and tourist information centre.