SERVICE WILL START

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4815, 26 July 1939, Page 7

SERVICE WILL START

AIRLINE TO RUKUHIA.

COMPLETION OF GROUND AWAITED.

The Waikato representative of Union Airways, Limited, Mr. R. Challiner, has received. advice from his head office stating definitely that when the Waikato airport at Rukuhai is suitable for landing heavy aircraft the company will include it in a regular service.

Mr. Challiner made a statement to his effect in reply to an expression of opinion. by a member of the Waipa County Council, that it was unlikely that Union Airways passenger planes would land at Rukuhia aerodrome, as Hamilton was too near Auckland to make it worth the company's while. It is quite obvious that this councillor is out of touch with local affairs," said Mr. Challiner. "Since 1936 we have been discussing the provision of a suitable landing ground for air services. I thought everyone in New Zealand was conversant with the fact that Palmerston North, which is only 80 miles from Wellington, has one of the best-known airports in the Dominion. The proposed Waikato Airport is a similar distance from Auckland, and could be made just as important as Palmerston North for feeder services to the thermal region." Mr. Challiner later intimated that Union Airways would include Rukuhia on the route south, from Auckland, to Hamilton across to Tauranga and through Opotiki to Gisborne. "At present the ground is unsuitable for landing De Havilland 86's and Electra Lockheeds," Mr. Challiner continued. "As soon as we have a suitable airport regular services will make use of it. At the present time large numbers of Waikato people travle by air, but unfortunately they have either to proceed to Auckland or to Palmerston North to connect with the services to the South Island."