TRAFFIC IN THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19214, 31 December 1925, Page 9

TRAFFIC IN THE AIR.

GROWTH OF TIIE SERVICES. "TEETHING TROUBLES OVER." LONDON TO INDIA PROJECTBy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) Reuter. LONDON, Drc. J9. " Civil aviation has got over its teething troubles in a manner that affords a great hope for the future," said Sir Eric Geddes at the annual meeting of Imperial Airways, Limited. He traced the steady growth of the air, mail and goods services, in addition to the passenger traffic. Passengers, said Sir Eric, were steadily acquiring the habit of travelling by air. He pointed out that though the company's operations had been hitherto concentrated in Europe, most of the principal towns were now regularly linked up, and they were looking forward to going further alield in the near future. The first aeroplane to leave Cairo for India would depart not later than the beginning of 1927, and from that time onwards progress would be made farther eastward. The progress of this extension would depend on the experience gained in the new desert route. It was hoped that a fast connection, mainly by air, between Basle (Switzerland) and Cairo might be possible. This would enormously increase the saving of time in the journey between London and Karachi, in India. " We have first got to prove the success of the desert route from Cairo to Karachi, via Bagdad," added Sir Eric. "If we prove reliability and punctuality on this route, it will open possibilities for a service between Bombay and Calcutta, and it will bo even possible soon to fly regularly between Rangoon and Singapore, and perhaps beyond."