Air Traffic

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 28 August 1935, Page 7

Air Traffic

RAPID BRITISH INCREASE WHAT STATISTICS SHOW [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY. Aug. 26. - A continued rapid increase of air traffic is shown by figures for passengers, freight, mails, and milcage of the Imperial Airways Services. Comparing the first, quarters of this year and last year, the passenger ton miles were 564,835, against 367,038; freight ton miles were 127,213, against 87,8.11; and mails ton miles were 269,425, against 135,056; while t(ic passenger mile total reached 5,884,234, against 3,830,609. Still more recent statistics referring to May this year show an increase of 70 per cent, as compared with the similar period in 1934 in the number of Empire air passengers passing through Croydon Airport. During a recent period of twelve months for which figures are available—March 31, 1934, to April 1, 1935—the air liners of Imperial Airways operating on European and Empire routes flew 2,482,864 miles and carried 55,559 passengers and over 2,000,000 pounds ox mails and freight. CIVIL AVIATION OFFICIAL CONTROL BEING RELINQUISHED IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT Received Aug. 27, 9.4 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 27. The Air Ministry has decided to free both the manufacture and flying of ultra-light aeroplanes from official control, provided they are insured against third party risks. This is regarded as tho first step towards the de-control of civil aviation. The News-Chronicle points out that the builder of ultra-light aeroplanes is now placed on the same basis as the motor-car manufacturer, and the pilot on the same basis as the motorist. “Lt is the most important aviation development since the war,” said a prominent manufacturer. “Eventually it will make flying as cheap as motoring.” He added that the decision would enable a reduction in the initial cost of at least 25 per cent, without the sacrifice of safety or efficiency.