AERIAL TRANSPORT

Southland Times, Issue 21823, 28 September 1932, Page 11

AERIAL TRANSPORT

THE POPE’S INTEREST.

TO THE HOLY LAND BY AIR.

In addition to his interest in wireless and other developments of modern science, his Holiness the Pope is following keenly the progress of aerial transport, recognising the important part which it is playing in the closer and more friendly intercourse between nations.

As a practical evidence of this interest in the international development of civil aviation, his Holiness has just received in audience at the Vatican in Rome, the manager of the Italian Area of Imperial Airways Ltd., Mr LloydTaylor. This, it is believed, is the first time that a representative of a foreign, air transport company has been received by the Pope. Mr Lloyd-Taylor took the opportunity of presenting to his Holiness a handsome album which bore the Papal arms stamped on it in gold, and which has been prepared specially to illustrate the activities and aircraft of Imperial Airways along the 14,000 miles of European and Empire air-lines. During the audience it was made clear how appreciative the Pope is of the advantage the world will derive from a wide-spread development of aerial transport, and he evidenced particular interest in the part played by wireless in modern air transport, and also in ther fact that it is now possible to travel regularly by airway to and from the Holy Land. In the latter respect it is worthy of note that already members of the clergy, together with pilgrims, tourists and travellers are utilizing in growing numbers the speed and comfort of air travel facilities which are provided to and from the Holy Land. The Imperial Airways flying-boats operating on the Mediterranean sections of the India air route now actually alight on the Sea of Galilee, and the airway journey from London to the Holy Land can be accomplished in three days; while travellers also have the convenience of the connections provided by the Empire routes from India and Central and Southern Africa. This means that a journey from India to the Holy Land by air now occupies only 2J days; while from Central Africa the time is 5 days and from South Africa 8 days.