PROGRESS IN AIR SERVICES

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 29 September 1933, Page 5

PROGRESS IN AIR SERVICES

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. BRITISH MINISTER’S ADDRESS. (British Official Wireless.} RUGBY, Sent. 27. The Air Minister, Lord Londonderry,' introducing to London the delegates from 30 air transport companies attending a conference of the International Air Traffic Association, referred to the vast strides made in the development of regular air services. In 1928 the mileage covered by regular air lines throughout the world was about 9000 miles; to-day the figures stood at over 200,000 miles. In 1928 the number of miles flown was 34,C00,000; this year the total was expected to reach 100,000,000. In Europe alone there were 16,000 miles of airways, and over these, routes 800 machines were in regular operation. The Minister maintained that flying was a civilising and unifying influence in the modern world and a. joint instrument for peace. He was convinced the military aspect of flying would sink into comparative insignificance beside its far wider and increasing use in every-day life as a means of bringing the nations into closer contact. Distance was perhaps the greatest enemy of international understanding, and air travel must naturally be an influence [for good if its uses and possibilities were suitably organised.