Service
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
Suva-Auckland Air Service To be Controlled by National Air ways Corporation
IT is expected that the Auckland-Suva air service which has catered for civilians but has been operated by the RNZAF since the end of the war. will be handed over to the NZ National Airways Corporation about the end of this month. Two RNZAF Sunderlands which have been converted to passenger travel, together with their crews, will be banded over to the civilian service; two other Sunderlands which have not been so converted will go into storage.
Mechanics Bay, Auckland, will be closed as a RNZAF station but will, of course, continue to be the terminal for overseas flying-boats.
The National Airways Corporation is the New Zealand government, which has nationalised internal and external air ways.
Commercial airways in New Zealand, in booking facilities, frequency of services, availability of accommodation, are 20 years behind Australia where air-services are now second to none anywhere in the world. Air travel within Australia is now no more difficult than buying a 2d. tram ride—and much more comfortable. In New Zealand it is still largely a matter of official rigmarole, inconvenience and. often, influence, before one can even secure a seat.