GISBORNE-AUCKLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20068, 14 October 1939, Page 7

GISBORNE-AUCKLAND

PLANES FOR TRAINING SOUTH SERVICE GOING \ PILOTS AS INSTRUCTORS A little in advance of expectations, the air link between Gisborne and Auckland, established some months ago by Union Airways, Limited, as a stage in the commercial development of aviation in the Dominion, was broken to-day. The plane which left Gisborne yesterday for Auckland made the last trip in this service, which will be suspended indefinitely owing to the Government taking over the company’s De Havilland planes for instructional purposes. The company has been advised that the Gisborne - Napier - Palmerston North service also will have to 'be suspended as from October 25, in furtherance of the Government’s development of air-training facilities in connection with the general war effort. Gisborne will be thrown back upon road and rail services for communication with outside centres, after having enjoyed the benefits of speedier travel for several years in the case of the southward air link. According to the present plans, Union Airways will continue to operate a skeleton service between Auckland and Dunedin with the Lockheed Electras which comprise an important portion of its fleet, and which are not to be taken over by the Government in the meantime. One difficulty in handling this service will arise from the fact that a majority of the company’s pilots have been placed on the Air Force Reserve, and will be employed as instructors in the Air Force. It is possible that all commercial aviation will cease in the not far distant future owing to lack of pilots.