TRUNK AIR LINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22545, 12 April 1935, Page 8

TRUNK AIR LINE

TWO SERVICES AUTHORISED DUNEDIN INCLUDED IN BOTH (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 11. On the ground that the trunk air service proposed by the Union Company was primarily a mail service and was out of direct touch with half the population, the Transport Co-ordination Board in its decision delivered to-day granted licenses for trunk air services both to the Union Airways of New Zealand (Union Steam Ship Company) and the Great Pacific Airways (N.Z.), Ltd. (Mr T. S. Withers). The application of the third company, the New Zealand Airways, Ltd., was refused. The opinion was expressed that any one of the three applications might be considered by itself .o fill the requirements for an aircraft service license, and the board stated that . was of the opinion that to permit .more than one service over the whole route at the present time would involve wasteful competition. It believed that all the applicants agreed that one through service over the main route was enough, at any rate to start with.

In regard to the application of the New Zealand Airways, Ltd., the board said it was not satisfied with the financial ability of the company to carry on the service, though that statement must not be assumed as a reflection on the solvency of the applicant company. In dealing with the applications of the other two companies, the board stated that it would have preferred the two rival applicants to have joined forces. With that end in view the parties were brought together for negotiations which were not successful. The board expressed the opinion that some service beyonJ that which was proposed by the Union Company was desirable, as except by feeder services it was out of direct touch with half the population of the country, and particularly two of the largest centres. Its aim was primarily to be a mail service, and a mail service must be one that could fly from Auckland as far south as possible. As a service only from Palmerston North to Christchurch or Dunedin the Union Company’s proposal was a valuable one and there was no objection to a license being issued to it for that particular route in addition to the main license which must go elsewhere. Thus both passengers and mails were being adequately provided for. The board therefore intended to grant a license to the Great Pacific Airways upon its incorporation. The service would in the first place be on the route proposed by the applicant—from Auckland to New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru, and Dunedin. The board stated that in the cireumstanc it might be that Palmerston North would be sufficiently provided for by the Union Company without being made a calling place for the Great’ Pacific Airways. The report also commented drastically on the Rongo.tai aerodrome, Wellington, and stated that until a ground was available remote from the dangerous climatic conditions which prevailed at Wellington (Paekakariki was mentioned) a regular call could not be made at Wellington. '