OVER THE ATLANTIC

Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 August 1936, Page 9

OVER THE ATLANTIC

BRITISH AIR SERVICE

JOINT OPERATING COMPANY

PLANS ANNOUNCED

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, July 30.

A statement on the proposed transatlantic air service was made in the House of Commons at question time by the Under-Secretary for Air (Sir Philip Sassoon). Recalling arrangements to which he said approval had now been given by the United Kingdom, Canadian, Irish Free State, and Newfoundland Governments for survey flights to be undertaken and an experimental air-mail service to be established as soon as possible, to be followed eventually by a mail and .passenger service on a minimum schedule of two flights weekly' in each direction, and for subsequent discussions with the United States Government, Sir Philip Sassoon stated that a joint operating company incorporated at the instance of. Im. perial Airways^ and two companies nominated for that purpose by the Canadian and Irish Free State Governments, would participate with PahAmerican Airways on the basis of reciprocity in the operation of the services. All practical' preference will be given to a direct route via the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, and Canada, but it may be necessary during the initial period to operate services via the Bermudas during the winter months. EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHTS. Experimental long-distance flights and other necessary investigations wilf be carried out in the near future by Imperial Airways, Ltd., and the results will be placed at the disposal of the joint company when' it is established. Pan-American Airways will also conduct experimental flights. During the , experimental stage the flying operations will be financed by the United Kingdom Government. When the joint company assumes responsibility it will receive an annual subsidy from the several Governments on an agreed basis. Each of the four Governments has undertaken to grant the necessary landing and transit rights within its own territory to the joint company arid to Pan-American Airways. It is contemplated that'such rights will be exclusive in respect of transatlantic air services for a period of fifteen years. An inter-governmental committee on the transatlantic air services will be established.