ATLANTIC AIRWAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23118, 17 August 1938, Page 10

ATLANTIC AIRWAYS

CHANGES IN PLANS THE START DELAYED FACTORS IN SITUATION [from otto own* correspondent] SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 . An agreement between the United States and Britain to assure the simultaneous launching of a commercial air lino across the North 'Atlantic by their nationals may necessitate sweeping changes in the plans of a year ago to begin a scheduled service about the middle of this summer. The plans of Pan American Airways to start flights via Newfoundland and Ireland to Europe may be altered or delayed. Imperial Airways, the semi-Govern-mental British air line, granted a monopoly of British overseas routes, will not be ready to begin service at any time in the neighbourhood of the mid-summer date. Delay the delivery of the "double Empire ' flyingboats, designed for the route, is blamed for the change. , In this event, it is feared, Britain may invoke the clause in the aeronautics treaty between the United States and England preventing the private American operator, Pan American Airways, from starting its own North Atlantic service this year. Although it seems unlikely that the clause will be invoked and that the Pan American company will be unable to proceed with its original plans, should it bo invoked, two courses of action would be ,open to the American line. It could either wait for the British or it could fly to Europe via Bermuda, the Azores and Portugal. The agreement between the United States and Britain applies only to the British or northern 'route, via Newfoundland and Ireland. Hence a commercial air line this year appears probable, although it may not follow the route anticipated.