AIR TRANSPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1946, Page 5

AIR TRANSPORT

R.N.Z.A.F. SOUTH PACIFIC ' SERVICES REDUCTION IN FARES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 28. Practically unknown to the public of New Zealand, the R.N.Z.A.F. this month began operating a network of transport services covering the south Pacific, and touching Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, American Samoa, Western Samoa, Aitutaki, and Rarotonga. Within the last few weeks the entire service has been reorganised, and the fares have been so reduced that a passenger can travel from Auckland to Rarotonga for £34. The previous fare from Auckland to Rarotonga was more than £66, and the reduction to almost half has been brought about by a decision to charge on a mileage basis for the direct distance, about 1600 miles, instead of the mileage occupied by the round trip. _ Rarotonga will now be provided, with a regular fortnightly air service, and an air-mail rate of-_s_d tor letters is now' in operation. The new fares for this south Pacific service are: Auckland to Noumea £25; to Suva, £2B/10/-; th Norfolk Island, £9/10/-; to Tonga, £22/10/-; to Apia, £32/10/-; to Pago Pago, £32; to Aitutaki, £36; to Rarotonga, £34. New rates for all the intermediate stopping places have also been fixed. They include: £39/10/- from Noumea to Rarotonga; £2/10/- from Suva to Rarotonga; and £l4/10/from Tonga to Rarotonga. Douglas Dakota C 47 aircraft are used, and the service is being operated by the No. 40 (Transport). Squadron: =======i