Opened by Two Lines

Weekly Air Services Opened by Two Lines

WITH Skymasters which left North America and Australia north-east wards and south-westwards, in the last week of February, the two airways companies—Australian National Airways (flying on behalf of British Common wealth Pacific Airlines) and Pan-Ameri can Airways—inaugurated regular weekly services across the Pacific.

The huge planes, each carrying nearly 40 passengers, made their journeys with out misadventure of any kind. ANA or ganised a couple of small functions to mark what is an occasion of great his toric interest; PAA were content just to fly.

The ANA planes do not go to New Caledonia: they make the direct hop be tween Sydney and Nadi, in Fiji. The PAA planes include New Caledonia in all flights, whether the terminal is Sydney or Auckland.

With those exceptions both lines follow the same route—Sydney-New Caledonia- Fiji-Canton Is.-Honolulu-San Francisco The North American terminal of ANA is Vancouver, of course; but they now (under the reciprocal agreement of De cember 3) set down most of their passen gers in San Francisco.

Nadi Or Nausori?

THERE has been much discussion in Fiji and elsewhere concerning accom modation for trans-Pacific air trav ellers in Fiji. Sir Leonard Isitt, who is head of New Zealand National Airways (a Government concern) and therefore responsible for the conduct of the Nadi airfield hostel, in north-west Fiji, was in Fiji and Australia during the month examining the situation. Mr. Harold Gatty (Panair’s regional manager) has also been busy.

The question being debated was whether the idea of sending the planes to Nausori (12 miles from Suva) should

be abandoned, and the Nadi establish ment improved; or whether Nausori field should be built up and passengers given the chance to visit Suva, instead of being marooned in a semi-desert at Nadi.

The indications were that Nadi would have to be used, because the Suva hotels are already overcrowded.

Long Stops May Be Cut Out

THE problem probably will be solved by the airways themselves. Both lines are making preparations to accom modate their passengers in the planes during the whole Pacific crossing, with stops of from one to two hours only at Tontouta (New Caledonia). Nadi (Fiji), Canton Island and Honolulu. Passengers may have time when on land for a bath and a meal, but otherwise they will spend all their time in the air.

Under that system they will not miss anything, Tontouta, Nadi and Canton Island are desolate wildernesses, with nothing to see, and only comfortless, barrack-like accommodation.

Honolulu, of course, has many attrac tions to offer, including good accommo dation. The same could have been said of Fiji, if it had been possible to use Nausori airfield and take passengers to Suva.

At present, ANA planes mostly fly dur ing the nights and lie at the airports during the days. PAA planes fly mostly in daylight and lie up at nights.

The new system, if adopted, will con siderably reduce the time of the trans pacific journey.

Better Service For Nz

IT has just been announced that, com mencing in the third week of March, Pan-American Airways will make another trans-Pacific plane available for the New Zealand service. This means that, instead of one in four of the PAA trans-Pacific flights terminating in Auck land, giving NZ one trans-Pacific plane per month, NZ will get a plane direct to San Francisco every two weeks.