AIR COMMUNICATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 7

AIR COMMUNICATIONS

PLAN FOR SERVICE TO COVER EMPIRE

INTERESTING FEATURES OF REPORT fly Telegr*Dh~ Pre«* Association— Copyright (Rec. August 19, 10.40 p.m.) London, August 18. An official report to the Imperial Conference dealing with communications contained the recommendations in the sub-committee’s report on air services which are to be submitted to the Parliaments of the Dominions and Great Britain for consideration. An indication of the committee’s proposals was cabled, but the full text, obtained tonight, gives interesting features. In the committee’s view, the best hope for successful development lies in private enterprise conducting a service for profit, like the mercantile marine, on business lines. The development of a complete scheme between England, India, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand is a matter of considerable time. In consequence of this it is consiedred desirable to deal with the establishment of an airship service in stages. In the one-year period, assuming the inauguration of experiments in September, it should be possible in March, 1922, to start a monthly service to Egypt, and by the close of twelve months it should be possible to undertake demonstration flights from Egypt in the direction of India and South Africa, without landing. The cost of this period would be <8540,000. The two-year period includes the erection of a complete base in Egypt. The cost for the period would be £1,939,000. The further development of the one and two-year periods i» regarded only as stepping stones, but such development should convert experimental flights towards South Africa into a permanent and regular service. This should make passible an alternative route via South Africa io Australia.

The committee estimated that ten or twelve airships, each of four millton cubic feet capacity, would suffice to maintain a fortnightly service from England to Egypt, India, South Africa, and Australia. The first of 'such airships would probably cost .£300,000. Before the route to Australia could be consolidated, it would be necessary to provide equipment and permanent bases in South Africa and Australia.

The estimated development over a period of three years would involve a capital expenditure of .£4,545,000. Maintenance is put at .£901,000, and contingencies at £1,500,000. To this must be added the cost of upkeep and operation of airships, which would increase from .£160,000 per annum at the end of 1 the two-year period to X 1,095,000 per annum. The cost of necessary mooring masts and stations in Egypt, South Africa, Australia, and back via Ceylon is estimated at X 275.000, to enable demonstrational flights to be conducted. Two such flights would cost X 33,000. The proposed type of airship would carry a maximum load of fifty passengers and thirteen tons of freight.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.