TRAVEL BY AIR

Evening Star, Issue 25700, 25 January 1946, Page 6

TRAVEL BY AIR

BRITAIN'S PROGRAMME WIDESPREAD SERVICES (Rec. 11.40 a.m.)' LONDON, Jan. 2i\ " We must be large-minded in civil aviation and cast away the impediment of petty nationalism," said Mr Ivan Thomas, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in moving a resolution in the House of Commons approving the Government's White Paper policy. He said negotiations were, being resumed with America, in the hope of reconciling the difference left unsolved at Chicago. British air transport would meet great competition, and the record of private enterprise between the wars was not such as to inspire confidence in its ability to meet the challenge. The case for public ownership was overwhelming. 8.0.A.C. next month would begin services to Madrid, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Stockholm, 21 services weekly to Paris, 14 to Brussels, se,ven to Amsterdam and The Hague, also Copenhagen. As aircraft became available a Springbok service would be increased to six weekly, and the service to India would become daily. The Government was buying five Lockheed Constellations. They would come into use probably in July. In the daily North Atlantic crossing 2o captured German JU 52's would be •used on internal routes until British aircraft were available. Britain designated Prestwick as the international airport. Hum -would also be designated until Heathrow was completed in May. Mr Thomas said he was bound to report that there was at present insufficient support from European countries for a regional operating body tor Europe. It would be idle to pretend . that the nations are ready to trust air services to an international body. Britain was accordingly proceeding with four forms of agreements: — First, making bilateral agreements, which it was hoped would merge into an international pattern. These were completed with Canada and South Africa, and he hoped would shortly be completed with many European States, and with Turkey, Egypt, India, andl certain South American States. Secondly, arrangements had been made with New Zealand, Australia, India, and South Africa for the opera- . tion of trunk routes in parallel partnerships, under which each partner would be responsible for the ground organisation on portion of the routes. The revenue would be 1 pooled among the operators, and the expenditure would be charged to the party on whose, behalf it was incurred. Aircraft of the same type would be used throughout the routes. Thirdly, Britain was negotiating for the formation of general operating companies. A joint operating company for the Pacific was contemplated. New Zealand and Australia, in close co-ope-ration with Canada, were dealing with this. Fourthly, Britain, was negotiating with America,,as stated.