NEW AIR SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 10

NEW AIR SERVICE

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AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON

TRIP OF THREE HOURS

UNION AIRWAYS' PROPOSAL

Prospects of the early establishment of a passenger and mail air service be. tween Auckland and Wellington are held out by the decision of Union Air. ways of New Zealand, Limited, to apply for a licence for daily trips of three hours between these two terminals. Simultaneous departures at noon from Auckland and Wellington are contemplated, with stops at Palnierston North and New Plymouth.

The projected time-table allows an hour and four minutes for the trip from Auckland and New Plymouth, a halt of 10 minutes, and then 58 minutes for the journey to Palmerston North. After a waiting period of 10 minutes, the flight will be continued to Well, ington, and for this stage .'SB minutes are allowed. Similar conditions would govern the running of the north-bound plane. The Commissioner of Transport. Mr. G. C. Godfrey, has decided that any written representations relating to the application are to be made to him not later than next Tuesday.

Modern Machines

Although the type of machine to be used has not beer mnnouneed it ig probable that the company will employ twin-engined aeroplanes of modern design, equipped with blind flying instruments, radio and other up-to-date aids to safe flying. Each machine will carry two pilots and from six to eight passengers. The single fare suggested for the trip is £6 los. The first-class single fare on the railways for the Auckland-Welling, ton trip is £2 14s 6d.

A hint of the extension of the Dominion's air services was given by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, in the House of Representatives on May 21, when he said Union Airways, Lijnitsd, was discussing with the Government the possibilities of an extension of its services to Auckland.

Link With the South

The Minister said he understood Union Airways' application would be for a licence to carry passengers and mails and that the proposed service would be co-ordinated with other services already carried on by the company. The Government had not been able to grant a subsidy for a trunk service proposed by Great Pacific Airways. Unless Union Airways propose to alter their schedule on the Palmerston North-Dunedin service it is not apparent how the co-ordination mentioned by the Minister will be effected. The south-bound aeroplanes now leave Palmerston Noith at 8.30 a.m. and therefore it will not be possible for passengers from Auckland to get through to the South Island in one day by air. Travellers from the South, however, should be able to make a connection with the Wellington-Auckland service at Palmerston North.