AIR SERVICES

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 32, 7 February 1935, Page 12

AIR SERVICES

LICENCES GRANTED

TRUNK ROUTES HELD OVER

REPORT ON AERODROMES

Several licences under the Transport Licensing (Commercial Aircraft Services) Act were granted by the Transport Co-ordination Board this moming. The four applications for the trunk route licence were adjourned for a month to enable the board to secure a report from the Transport Department on the landing grounds throughout New Zealand. The applications were heard by Sir Stephen Allen (chairman) and Messrs. H. B. S. Johnstone and Lisle Alderton. The chairman said that a date had not been fixed for a.resumption of the.hearing, but it would probably be March' 6. "By far the most important applications before this board are those relating to trunk services; The granting or refusal of these services will, we think, have a vital bearing on the ultimate development of commercial aviation in the' Dominion," the board stated. "At this stage we do not feel justified in arriving at a final decision, as there are many aspects which have been raised during the hearing. It is also felt desirable that certain technical matters should be considered before finalising the position. "We can, however, at this juncture indicate that in pur opinion the most important trunk route will be that which will operate between Palmerston North arid Dunedin. The value of this route for the carriage of passengers, and more so for the carriage of mails, must be apparent to all. "Owing: to the lack of information before this .board on the condition of the various aerodromes throughout the Dominion, it is felt necessary at this stage that the -fullest information on. this point should be obtained without delay. With that in view, the board is instructing the Transport Department' to obtain a detailed report from the Controller of Civil Aviation on all licensed aerodromes in.the Dominion. The report asked for will have particular reference to the type of aircraft which may now safely use each landing ground, and -where it is proposed -to improve any particular ground, and what steps are being taken in this direction, and the approximate date of completion of the proposed improvements, and the aircraft which could be accommodated upon completion. "We propose, therefore, to adjourn all trunk route applications for one month, and will on resuming the hearing be prepared to receive any further information from the; applicants which may assist us in arriving at a decision on the question." . COOK STRAIT SERVICE. ' The licence to - carry passengers across Cook Strait was secured by Cook Strait Airways, Ltd., the.application of the Goodwin-Chichester Aviation Co. being refused. . "Both applicants appear to. consider that at present there is room for only one service ,to operate over the route involved," the board >stated. This was also the board's opinion.. "In granting any licence for aircraft," the chairman said, "the safety and convenience of the travelling public must be the paramount • consideration, and the board must therefore take special notice of the ability of any proposed licensee to provide the best and safest machines for, the purpose, and to maintain them in the best condition. The financial position of the applicants accordingly becomes a matter of importance because there may be greater inducement for the weaker applicant, in spite of careful inspection, to save unduly in the purchase, maintenance, arid essential appurtenances of his aeroplanes. For the journey over Cook Strait also it is the opinion of technical experts that machines with two or more; engines should be used. •'The Goodwin-Chichester Co. proposed to use Avro Six machines, which are not of the latest type. Its proposals as to fares are also unsatisfactory in many' respects, and. although its financial position appears undoubtedly sound, it is by no means in the same position as Cook Strait Airways. Although the Goodwin-Chichester Co. has formerly made, numerous commercial flights over Cook Strait, it has not done so for nearly three years, and consequently seems to possess no claims to preference on this ground. "We therefore prefer the application from Cook Strait Airways, Ltd., to which company we propose to grant a licence." The licence granted will be subject to the following conditions, and will be for a period of five years. The machines arc-to be British, having two or more engines, the number and type to be approved by the board. The service is to commence on or before October 1, 1935, with leave for the company to apply for an extension of the period if necessary. The route, timetable, and fares to be as applied for with the right to run to Hokitika as required. •'.«..■ The company was also granted an air taxi licence, the machines being allowed,to be used for the carriage of passengers and goods on journeys to and from any part of New Zealand, commencing from or terminating at Wellington, Blenheim, or Nelson. TAXI MCENCE GRANTED. The application of the Mt. Cook Tourist, Co. for an air taxi licence radiating fropi the Hermitage to points in the South Island and to Wellington and also sightseeing from the Hermitage was granted -for a term of' five years provided that the machines used are of British: manufacture and of a type approved by the board. The service must be available on or before October 1,-1935, but-the company has the right to apply for an extension of the period if necessary. The area over which the service may be carried on is limited to the provinces of Canterbury, Otago, and Westland. The schedule of fares, and goods charges is to be submitted to the board for approval. The licence is granted for one machine only at present and further application will have to be made to the board if more are to be used. WEST COAST SERVICE. The application of Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., for a licence to carry out a service on the West Coast was granted. The board; stated that the applicant was carrying on a satisfactory and desirable service which was meeting the convenience of residents in Westland and elsewhere, and it would be unfair to limit the licence to a further short period, as 7 although the applicants for other services on the West Coast had not been able to appear in support of their applications they had already been heard as regards their objections to this service. An air taxi licence was also granted to the applicant. . Both licences are for a term of five years and the machines operated may be used for the carriage of passengers and goods on journeys to any part of New Zealand commencing from or terminating at any of the aerodromes or landing grounds on the applicant's route. "AUTOMATIC" LICENCES. "Automatic" licences were granted to the eleven aero clubs subject to the following conditions:— The machines used to be those shown in the schedule of application or any others authorised as substitutes. Fares to be according to the aero clubs' amended scale. The licences are for a period o£ four years.