Air N.Z. will not be starter

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 2

Air N.Z. will not be starter

Air New Zealand will not be a starter in the Singapore - Christchurch air race, to be held in March.

The air race, a key part of Christchurch Airport’s jubilee celebrations, has already attracted 29 entries, including three in the military and commercial class.

Singapore Airlines yesterday became the first airline to enter, but race organisers said that both Qantas and British Airways could enter before the late-entry deadline of February 1. An Air New Zealand spokesman yesterday ruled out an entry from the country’s national carrier. The airline’s flying resources were already stretched to the limit and an entry would cause scheduling problems, he said. Air New Zealand’s participation in the jubilee celebrations would be confined to a ground exhibit and possibly an aircraft to give flights, he said.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force will carry the New Zealand flag in the military and commercial class. It has entered a Boeing 727 and an Orion. Singapore Airlines’ South Island manager, Mr Murray Wild, said his airline’s entry would be its normal weekly flight from Singapore to Christchurch. The Boeing 747 would arrive at Christchurch Airport about 9.20 a.m. on March 25 after a flight of about 10 hours.

Mr Wild said the airline was keen to enter to “show the flag” and to support the Canterbury region and the Royal New Zealand Air Force museum at Wigram, which is the beneficiary of the celebrations.

As the only direct carrier between Singapore and Christchurch, it would be “ironic” not to enter, he said.

Captain Freddie Koh, who was pilot of the inaugural Singapore-Christ-church flight in October, would command the entry, Mr Wild said.