CIVIL AVIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1920, Page 8

CIVIL AVIATION.

WORLD-WIDE INTEREST. DEVELOPMENTS IN GERMANY. By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright, London, July 10. Lord Londonderry, opening the International Aero Exhibition, referred to recent alarmist and exaggerated statements regarding air developments in other countries, especially German}-. He added that Germany at present had 49 undertakings licensed to participate in air traffic, which were represented by 19 transport companies, of which only two were actually working,'and 30 factories, four of which were engaged in research work and two in engine designing. The control commission had sanctioned a few commercial machines of no military value, for the purpose of resumption of air traffic in Germany on a small scale. General Sir F. H. Kykes (Director of Civil Aviation) alluded to the presence of so many Dominion representatives as proving the universal interest aroused bv aviation. He expressed satistaction that the exhibits included most of the modern seaplanes, flying boats, and amphibian craft. Re saw it was essential that *ve, being a sea-girt Empire, should develop these types of aircraft. Since August 2(5, 1919, when international flying was first permitted, air services had been established . between London and Paris, London and Amsterdam, while a London and Brussels service would shortly be inaugurated. He mentioned as a remarkable fact that throughout the winter months there were only ten days when the London-Paris service had been interrupted. General Sykes gave the following striking figures: The number of flights carried out in the first year of civil aviation was 38,953, the approximate mileage flown being 734,200. The num : ber of pasengers carried was 70,000. There was only one fatality. The weight of goods transported was 110,408 lbs., and the value*of imports and exports transported by air was £200,000. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.