IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 11

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

SHORTAGE OF MACHINES PASSENGER SPACE LIMITED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 8. Imperial Airways announce a substantial reduction in passenger accommodation beginning to-morrow, because the rearmament programme has caused a serious fleet shortage. The Air Ministry's right to prior delivery of machines has sometimes made Imperial Airways deliveries late and faulty. There is a shortage of trained personnel and recruitment of pilots from the Air Force is difficult. Imperial Airways were confronted with serious losses of aircraft in 1939 and increasing mail requirements, which limited passenger space. THE OUTWARD ROUTES LITTLE CHANCE OF SEATS LONDON, Aug. 9. (Received Aug. 10, at 1.50 a.m.) Imperial Airways intimated that, although statements that, all passenger services will be cancelled are unauthorised, the chances of procuring seats on any route outward from England are almost nil for the next few months. There will be a better chance of seats from Australia and from India, from which places mails are lighter. It is hoped the transtasman boats will not be affected in so far as passengers from Sydney are concerned, but it will be almost impossible, to carry Lon-don-Auckland through passengers. AMERICAN ENGINES ORDERED (British Official' Wireless) RUGBY, Aug. 8. (Received Aug. 9, at 7 p.m.) The statement issued by Imperial Airways says that the company will do all it can to rectify the position. It has been the policy in the past, to look exclusively to British industry for equipment. The company has now ordered 48 American cyclone engines of 1100 hp. each and these will be fitted to the company's fleet of Ensign aircraft. The company is also considering purchasing aircraft from abroad in order to meet immediate urgent needs.