AIRWAYS AGREEMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22129, 18 September 1946, Page 4

AIRWAYS AGREEMENT

U.S. LANDING RIGHTS SETTLEMENT EXPECTED (P.A.) WELLINGTON Sept 17 An early settlement in the negotiations between Australia and the United States which would give Australian National Airways, interim operators for British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, traffic rights in United States territory is likely. This statement was made by Sir Leonard_ Isitt, a director of B.C.P.A, in Wellington last night. Sir Leonard returned yesterday from Sydney, where he attended the monthly meeting of the company, which considered details of the interim Pacific service.

He said that once agreement was reached on traffic rights, A.N.A. would be able to set down and pick up passengers and mail at San Francisco, which would be the terminal of the service, instead of Vancouver, as at present. However, planes would continue to call at Vancouver. Sir Leonard said it was expected that A.N.A. would be operating the service for about 12 months, when B.C.P.A. would take over. As previously stated, the company would use D.C. 4 M Skymasters, but these would be fitted with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines in place of the American Pratt and Whitney motors with which the planes are normally fitted. Questioned regarding the purchase of more aircraft for the New Zealand National Airways Corporation, Sir Leonard said his visit was concerned only with the business of B.C.P.A.