Airline’s history of innovation

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 26

Airline’s history of innovation

British Airways (and its predecessor companies) has often created history in aviation matters between New Zealand and Britain. As Imperial Airways it flew the first survey flight from Britain to this country in 1937 with the flying boat Centaurus. It brought the first Comet commercial jets to New Zealand (as 8.0.A.C.) in 1963 — the only jets to service New Zealand for nearly three years. The VC-10 took over the direct Auckland to London service until the Boeing 747 aircraft, powered by Rolls Royce RB 211 engines, took over in the 19705. Until last year, the airline provided a twiceweekly flight from Auckland to London, via Australia. Then in December a third service, via Singapore, was added. This month British Airways will extend its service to the South Island ,by introducing Christchurch on to its route (in

addition to its Auckland service). Its aircraft will fly from Perth into Christchurch, then on to Auckland before leaving for London via Perth and Singapore. Heathrow, London’s major international airport, is the focal point for people arriving from New Zealand. They arrive at Terminal 4, the world’s most modern airport facility. The £2OO million terminal, which was opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales in April, is able to deal with up to eight million passengers a year, and up to 4000 an hour at peak times. Terminal 4 is served by its own London Underground tube station, and has separate road links to avoid congestion with the other terminals. It has special facilities for children, for the elderly, and for the handicapped, as well as lounges for all travellers.