PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24914, 29 June 1946, Page 8

PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

INTERIM SCHEME COMPLETED LANDING RIGHTS NOT SETTLED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, June 28. A full load of passengers had already booked seats and were waiting to leave Sydney for San Francisco immediately Australian National Airways received authority to begin the interim service for the British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, said the chairman of the New Zealand National Airways Corporation (Sir Leonard Isitt), whose appointment as New Zealand director of British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines was announced this week. He returned by air from Sydney, where he has been discussing details of the operation of the new airline with the Australian director (Mr A. W. Coles), who has been elected chairman. Advice that the Australian, New Zealand, and United States Governments had settled the bilateral agreement on reciprocal landing rights in the three countries could be expected at any time, said Sir Leonard. The Australian National Airways’ Skymaster would take off once the company got wbrd to start, and as soon as the passengers could be notified. At the same time, another Australian Skymaster would begin a fortnightly Auckland-San Francisco service, which would operate side by side with Pan American Airways. The two companies would use the same airfields and share the facilities on the route. There would be close co-operation between the airlines. Sir Leonard said the Australian National Airways would probably operate the interim service for about 12 months, by which time it was likely that British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines would be ready to take over with faster and more comfortable aeroplanes.