More People Travel By Air In Dominion

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1948, Page 2

More People Travel By Air In Dominion

WELLINGTON, Thu. (Sp.)—Rongotai’s importance in the commercial airways system is shown by figures released by the Air Department. Rorigolai was closed to commercial traffic on September 26, and since then the Paraparaumu field. 35 miles from Wellington and more than an hours journey by road, has been used. In the quarter ended September 30 nearly twice as many passengers arrived at Rorfgotai as at any other airport. The figure was 9592. compared with 4930 at Mangere, 4507 at Christchurch. 2598 at Whenuapai and 1813 at Dunedin.

The figures show that 112,5341 b of freight was sent-from Rongotai in the quarter, compared with 48,9341 b from Mangere and 26,6111 b from Christchurch.

STEADY INCREASE ' The department’s report reveals a steady increase in air travelling during the year ended September 30. In the first quarter 32,829 passengers used the commercial air services and in the last quarter the figure was 37.683.

The largest number carried was 41.418 in the summer months of January, February and March, 1947. In the following quarter the total was 38.324. The total number of passengers carried in the year was 150.254. The expansion of internal air services is reflected in the summary of miles flown during the year. The total in the first quarter was 521,705 and in the last quarter 779,871. Freight carried rose from 194.6281 b in the quarter ended December 31, 1946, to 3,160.8761 b in the three months ended September 30 last. ROUTE MILES The number of route miles increased from 2680 to 8704 and the number of aircraft rose from 18 to 25.

The external travel traffic figures disclose that in +he quarter ended September 30, 2100 passengers arrived in New Zealand by Tasman Empire Airways service. Another 92 arrived by British Pacific aircraft, and 309 travelled to New Zealand by Pan American Airways service.