AIR SERVICES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1933, Page 6

AIR SERVICES

OPERATIONS IN BRITAIN

BIG INCREASE THIS YEAR

LONDON, - December 16. Some of the results iof working unsubsidised air lines in Great Britain this summer are now coming to hand. This year will be remembered in the history of British civil flying as the first in which really determined efforts were made to operate such- services ; at one time no fewer than 11 routes were flown over regularly. Next year, if all plans materialise, no fewer than 20 lines will be working. Mr Edward Hillman, to whom much as to any man must be credited the revival of inland airways, transported 4490 passengers during the 24 weeks’ season which closed at the end of September. His aeroplanes—all of them twinengined de Haviland Dragon biplanes—fleiv over three main routes, London-Paris; Londoii-Glacl'on, and. London-Margate. The Clacton service, which, was the first to be organised by the Hillman concern, attracted 1543 passengeris,: the Paris service 1759 and the Margate, services 1191. Six Dragons were employed. Not a' single service was cancelled and there was no forced landing, a fact that is ceasing to cause - surprise nowadays but yet is worthy of record as additional evidence of the dependability of British aeroplanes and aero engines.