U.S.A. WAITING ON BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 13

U.S.A. WAITING ON BRITAIN

START OF ATLANTIC AIR SERVICE FLYING-BOATS’ RANGE NOT SUFFICIENT NEW YORK, April 14. A hitch has occurred in the agreement under which it was anticipated that Imperial Airways and Pan-Ameri-can Airways would be flying on regular schedule in July next between Southampton and New York, by way of Ireland and Newfoundland. embracing airport rights and other navigation facilities, were signed, subject to a condition that neither company would start till both were ready. Both made survey flights, two round trips each via Newfoundland and one via Bermuda and the Azores. Imperial Airways, according to advices reaching here, discovered that the “Empire boats” did not have sufficient range for the 1900-mile flight between Newfoundland and Ireland, with pay-load. On the other hand, Pan-American, although flying a Clipper which was regarded as obsolete for Atlantic travel, would have been able to carry a small mail load, sufficient to defray a good deal of the cost of the service, it was said.

Within the next month, the first of the new Boeing Clippers, designed for a 4000-mile range, with a pay-load of four tons, will start its test flights. If this 42-ton seaplane meets expectations, Pan-American will be equipped for a service, non-stop, from New York to Lisbon, a distance of 3200 miles. France and Germany are anxious to start their own trans-Atlantic operations, and officials here see no obstacle in the way of starting an American service.

If Imperial Airways insists on PanAmerican delaying another year or two, until the British planes are perfected, the United States Government is understood to be willing to call for tenders for air mails to Europe. American Export Airlines, owned by a shipping company, and dependent on a subsidy from the Maritime Commission, plans to go ahead with survey flights. It has arranged for landing permits in France, Germany, and Italy. Portugal has granted a concession in the Azores to Pan-American. According to information in Washington, General Franco, if he wins control in Spain, is anxious to develop Cadiz or Corunna as the European terminal of a transAtlantic air line. The United States Government is ready to help with liberal mail subsidies. The Postal Department has available about £400,000 for this service, and it is awaiting the announcement of prospective operators that they are ready. Pan-American has informed the Government that, as far as equipment and personnel are concerned, it can undertake a regular schedule in the coming summer.