N.A.C. Replacement SELECTION CUT TO TWO

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31003, 8 March 1966, Page 1

N.A.C. Replacement SELECTION CUT TO TWO

(From Our Oicn Reporter) WELLINGTON, March 7. The choice of a replacement aircraft for the National Airways Corporation’s Viscount fleet has narrowed to the Boeing 737 and the B.A.C. 1-11 The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said tonight that these were the two aircraft under consideration by the Cabinet.

1 le had been asked if a short list had been drawn up. “It is down to two,” he said, naming the B.A.C. 1-11 and the Boeing 737.

Mr Holyoake would not say which was ! preferred by N.A.C. ! Previously the Doug- j las DC9 was one of I the aircraft being con- j sidered. This came after receipt of! the N.A.C. recommendations and reports from the Civil Aviation Department. The Cabinet today discussed the replacement question at some length, Mr Holyoake said. Members had discussions during the day with the general manager of the corporation (Mr D. A. Patterson). The Cabinet had decided to seek further reports from the; corporation and the admin-

iistration, the Prime Minister! said. I The Prime Minister decl injed to comment, when asked if I I the B.A.C. 1-11 was now a j competitor, only because of 'political considerations. The I selection of the plane was a | complex question and a number of technical matters had to be considered, he said. Asked if the extra information would be available to next week’s Cabinet meeting, Mr Holyoake said: “We will be ready by Monday.” Mr Holyoake reiterated that there was no connexion between the B.A.C. 1-11 and the recent butter quota talks in London. The N.A.C. replacement ; had not been mentioned at the talks.