AVIATION AGREEMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23430, 21 August 1939, Page 8

AVIATION AGREEMENTS

Further pi-oof of the ' understanding which has developed between British and American interests in the planning of commercial air services is provided by the announcement that a civil aviation agreement between the United .States and Canada has been completed, preparing the way for an air route to Alaska. The matter is one on which there has been fairly protracted discussion and tlie decision now reached must be regarded as one of several, all pointing to something more than "parallel action" in the provision of the long distance transport services of to-morrow. Britain and the United States, indeed, seem destined to become full partners in the development of commercial aviation. American aircraft for years have been serving British territory in the West Indies; North Atlantic services have been organised by both British and American companies, with full reciprocity in landing rights and full co-operation in all other aspects ; the American service across the Pacific, with a British terminal at Auckland and an intermediate stopping place at Canton Island under joint ownership and control, is on the point of establishment; and now air liners from the United States will be free to fly over Canada on their way to Alaska. All this suggests that when British interests are ready to extend their operations into the Western Hemisphere they will find the American authorities ready and willing to collaborate. Landing rights for British aircraft at Honolulu, the nerve centre of any Pacific air line, could hardly be refused. The two j countries have found that competi- j tion in ocean shipping does yot pay and both have been committed to expensive subsidies as a result. In the air, however, the indications are that competition will He replaced by co-operation to the benefit of ail concerned.