P.A.A. Clippers

May Call at Sydney

NEGOTI A TIONS are in progress between Australia, New Zealand, and USA and Pan American Air ways for an extension of PAA’s South Pacific service to Sydney. Auckland (NZ) is the present terminal point.

Clippers now leave San Francisco and call at Hawaii, Canton Island, Suva, Noumea and Auckland. It has been sug gested that instead of flying from New Caledonia to NZ and then on to Australia, they should come direct to Sydney from Noumea. NZ passengers and freight would connect with the PAA flying-boats at Sydney, using the trans-Tasman service.

An alternative plan is that the Clippers make a round trip comprising Noumea- Auckland-Sydney-Noumea, then back to

Usa.

A third scheme put forward is that they should fly from Noumea to Brisbane- Sydney-Auckland-Noumea on one trip and from Noumea to Auckland-Sydney- Noumea on the next.

It can be taken as certain, however, that NZ (which took an active part in the establishment of the present service) will not readily agree to any proposal under which the Dominion is “skipped” over by the main service and served merely by a subsidiary airline.

First Flight To Suva

THE first flight in PAA’s service to Auckland via Suva (Fiji) was made early this month. According to the company’s Sydney office, the “Pacific Clipper” left San Francisco on November 5 and arrived at Suva on November 9. The following morning it took off for Noumea and reached Auckland on November 11.

The initial flight on the new service by way of Fiji was delayed some days, but in future Clippers will leave San Francisco on alternate Thursdays. The new route brings Suva within 3 days of USA, U days from Auckland and 2’h days from Sydney. As less fuel is required, Clippers now are able to carry 45 passengers between NZ and Fiji, in addition to heavier freight loads. Previously, 20-24 passengers were provided for.

The single fare from Suva to Auckland is £6O (£lOB return) and, using the trans- Tasman service, to Sydney is £9O (£l6B return).

Nothing further has been heard of PAA’s application to the US Government for permission to use Palmyra Island, mid-way between Honolulu and Canton Island, as a re-fuelling base.

In mid-October PAA commenced a bi weekly Sikorsky Clipper service between Manila and Hong Kong, and a weekly Boeing Clipper service between Manila and Singapore. The latter connects at Singapore with British and Dutch airlines to Australia.

Captain M. Harper, master of W. R.

Carpenter & Co.’s BSI inter-island motor vessel “Balus”, is at present in Sydney.

He came to Australia, via Papua, last month, to undergo an operation on his jaw and now is recuperating.