AIRLINE MILEAGE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 142, 12 March 1938, Page 9

AIRLINE MILEAGE

Union Airways Exceed 1,000,000 Mark TWO YEARS’ TOTAL Peak Regularity A World Record It was announced yesterday by Mr. N. S. Falla, chairman of Union Airways of New Zealand, Limited, that the combined air services, Palmerston North-Dunedin, and Wellington-Auck-land, had since January 16, 1636, up to February 25 last, flown 1,010,945 miles, and. up to January 15, bad carried a total of 19,808 passengers, which, in proportion to population, is as yet unequalled by any other country. In addition, the total mileage which has accrued in the short space of two years has been ■ accomplished in 7344 hours, with the reihafkably high percentage regularity of 98.99, and without mishap o r accident During the period from January 16, 1936. to January 15, 1938, the Palmerston North-Dunedin service in itself established and maintained a record unexcelled in any other part of the world. Of the 1476 trips scheduled, 1458 were completed, though actually each trip of the total was partially, flown. Passengers carried numbered 15,312, and 724,920 miles, were flown. Other statistics for the period are as follows: — Trips scheduled 1.476 Trips flown I.’?" Trips completed Percentage trips flown Percentage trips completed .... JS.jS Hours, flown 6.04 J Miles flown • Passengers carried m,3iFreight and excess baggage (lb.) 16,111 Passengers’ baggage weight (lb.) 111.871 Mails (from 16/3/36) (lb.) 96,011 Freight ton miles 1-MO Mail ton miles „ Jf.-rn Passenger miles 3.40i>,000 Wellington-Auckland Service, The Wellington-Auckland service was inaugura .edon June 26,1937, During the six months for which statistics have been compiled, a substantial mileage, 173,035, was covered with the high percentage regularity of 99.2. This figure has not been exceeded by any other service operating either in England, the United States, or Europe. Ullll I 11 H I ♦♦♦♦♦♦< ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦■

Statistics for the six months ended December 31, 1037, are as follows: — Trips scheduled .. 50} Trips flown * -501 Trips completed ;.. 497 Percentage trips flown ... 100 Percentage trips completed ... 90.2 Hours flown 1,295 Miles flown 1i3,030 Passengers carried 4,400 Freight and excess baggage (lb.) 3.817 Passengers’ ‘baggage weight (lb.) £6,224 Mails (lb.) 23,693 Freight ton miles 4--Mail ton miles Passenger miles 987,210 Combined Service Record. The combined services have achieved the enviable record of flyingmore than 1,000,000 miles with a 98.99 per cent, regularity of trips completed. In each case 100 per cent, of the trips scheduled have been flown in full or in part. Statistics to February 25 are as follows :— Trips scheduled ...... },9}} Trips flown ............ },9}} Trips completed . I.sKmj Percentage trips flown ......... 100 Percentage trips completed .... 98.99 Hours flown },344 Miles flown .............. Passengers carried 19,808 Freight and excess baggage (lb.) 19,928 Passengers’ baggage weight (lb.) 278,048 Mails (lb.) 119.704 Freight ton miles 2,232 Mail ton miles 16,801 Passenger miles 4,392,7<0 Important Factors. Among the important factors which have contributed toward the outstanding success of the services, indeed .in the advance of commercial aviation generally in the Dominion during the past two years, are improvements in aerodrome construction, and the progress made in radio equipment. Adverse weather has been solely responsible for all interruptions to the services. It is anticipated that with the introduction of direction finding radio apparatus, and still more improvements to aerodromes, the individual aud combined figures of the services will be easily maintained and possibly improved. The fact that the Lockheed machines on tlie Wellington-Auckland airline, and the De Havillands on the Palmerston North-Dunedin route, have functioned perfectly is a tribute to the ground staffs at the respective terminals, and Indicates how valuable a part they play in the organisation of Union Airways.

(Week-end radio programmes on Page 2 of second section.)