UNION AIRWAYS’ SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 June 1942, Page 4

UNION AIRWAYS’ SERVICE

DUNEDIN ELIMINATED DUNEDIN, June 4. A report that Dunedin is to lose the contact by air service with northern centres which it at present enjoys, is causing concern to business interests. It is stated that as a result of the recent loss of one of its machines. Union Airways, Ltd., intends to curtail its operations by eliminating Dunedin from its services as from Monday next, though it will maintain regular lines between Auckland and Wellington, and Wellington. Blenheim. Nelson, and Christchurch. Disadvantages which Dunedin would suffer by the adoption of such a course were stated yesterday at a meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr. A. H. Allan) for the purpose of taking the strongest possible measures to have the service to Dunedin maintained. WEST COAST AFFECTED It was stated in Greymouth to-day. that the rearrangement of Union Airways’ services is also likely adversely to affect the West Coast. Up to the present, time air passengers from the West Coast by Air Travel, Ltd., have been able to connect with Union Airways’ service which left Nelson at 1.30 p.m. for Wellington. In future, it is probable that West Coast passengers will have to stay a night in Nelson. before being able to continue their journey by plane to the North Island.

For the next fortnight, however, it is proposed by Air Travel, Ltd., to carry on with the same time-table (leave Greymouth at 10.15 a.m., and arrive al Nelson, via Westport, al 11.30 a.m.). So long as sufficient traffic is forthcoming, this service will be maintained.

Present prospects indicate that, unless better arrangements for connecting with the North Island planes can be made, the West Coast will be without an air service, at an earlv date.