AIRPORT FACILITIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23860, 10 January 1941, Page 6

AIRPORT FACILITIES

Even in wartime there is need to study the expansion of essential civilian services, and on these grounds no complaints can be levelled against the proposals to provide additional facilities at the Mechanics' Bay airport, the meeting place of commercial air services which span the Pacific and the Tasman. It is an illuminating commentary on the progress of air transport that these extensions should have become necessary when the services for which they arc intended have been in operation for less than two years. The plans prepared by the Air Department and now awaiting final approval provide for substantial additions to the airport offices, in keeping with the greatly increased .traffic, and Auckland's growing status, as one of the important air junctions of the world is reflected by the statement that double the existing floor space will probably be provided. Even if the future demands of defence result in some interruptions to the Tasman service, the needs of the Pan American Clippers must be studied, particularly in view of the fact that air transport is certain to make still greater progress after the war. Auckland and New Zealand have already benefited greatly from the two flying-boat services and the city's ocean airport should be constantly maintained in a position to give prompt and efficient attention to all the traffic that it is called on to handle.