T. A. A. men visit Chch

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 4

T. A. A. men visit Chch

Senior executives of Trans Australia Airlines visited Christchurch - yesterday for negotiations in preparation for the airline’s " proposed Tasman service between Hobart and Christchurch. T.A.A. and’-Ahsett Airlines of Australia have been given approval to run the; direct service from Hobart to Christchurch from November 1; ■ •,

The commercial services manager of T.A.A. (Mr A. Thomas)-and the airline’s industiy sales manager (Mr N. Parkin) yesterday met the

chairman of the Christchurch Airport Authority (Cr M. R. Carter), the general manager of: the Christchurch City Corporation (Mr J. H. Gray 7), and the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Hamish Hay). They discussed the facilities available at Christchurch Airport, including provisions for ground handling arid catering services, said T.A.A.’s sales manager in Christchurch (Mr I. Rivers). It was proposed to firn a weekly, service between Hobart and Christchurch, although the day had not been

decided on. Fares had been struck but not yet ratified, Mr Rivers said. The service might originate in the afternoon, to enable passengers south of the Manawatu to link with domestic flights. Messrs Thomas and Parkin went to, Auckland yesterday afternoon, and were to meet Air New Zealand management officials today.

Mr Rivers said it was hoped that the service would increase Tasman traffic rather than detract from existing traffic.