H—37

Aircraft used for the operation of services on these routes were— Lockheed Lodestar . . . . . . 1 Lockheed Electra . . . . . . 3 D.H. 86 Express Liner . . . . 1 (One additional Lockheed Lodestar and a Hudson were in use for training purposes.) On 13th May, 1945, Lockheed Lodestar ZK-AHU was destroyed by fire. A replacement Lodestar Aircraft was in service in August, 1945. The following licenses were held at 31st- March, 1946, by Union Airways staff:— Pilot's " B Licence .. .. .. 28 Second-class Navigator's Licence . . . . 7 Radio Operator's Licence— First Class . . . . . . . . 1 Second Class . . .. . . . . 2 Third Class . . . . . . . . 21 Temporary . . . . . . . . 2 Aircraft Engineer's Licence. . . . . . 34 (2) Cook Strait Airways, Ltd. The arrangement whereby Union Airways of New Zealand, Ltd., and Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., had operated the services of Cook Strait Airways, Ltd., under charter since the taking over of that company's equipment after the outbreak of war was continued during the year ended 31st March, 1946. Route frequencies were as follows : (a) Operated by Union Airwaays of New Zealand, Ltd.:— Route . . . . . . Nelson-Wellington-Blenheim. Route-miles . . . . . . 132. Frequency . . . . . . Wellington-Blenheim thrice daily in each direction, except Sundays. Wellington-Nelson twice daily in each direction, except Sundays. Aircraft employed on these routes were Lockheed Electras. Traffic statistics for year ended 31st March, 1946: Hours flown . . .. . . . . . . 1,490 Miles flown . . . . .. . . . . 175,104 Passengers . . . . .. . . . . 25,782 Freight (lb.). . .. . . . . .. 164,818 Mail (lb.) .. .. .. .. .. 46,079 Passenger-miles • • • • • • • . 1,652,618 Freight ton-miles . . .. . . .. 4,902 Mail ton-miles . . . . . . .. 1,460 (b) Operated by Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd.:— Route .. •. • • Nelson-Hokitika. Route-miles .. .. 163. Frequency .. .. Once daily in each direction (except Sunday).

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