Airlines Interested

Boram International

Airport

French and Dutch Airlines Interested

THE rumour reported recen (PIM, March, page 35) that t new airport at Boram, N Guinea, might become an int( national airport was given fresh ii petus in April.

The new P-NG Regional Direci of the Department of Aviation, I V. Rule, said in Port Moresby tl two overseas airlines were interest in Boram—the Netherlands Dul New Guinea Air Company, wh: wanted to operate a service to Li and the French airline, Transpo Aeriens Intercontinentaux, whict few months ago took over the Pai Saigon-Noumea service from France.

Mr. Rule said that TAI wished expand its activities in the Soi Pacific and would possibly route Saigon-Noumea section of its sen through Boram instead of throi Darwin.

Air France used to call at B] bane, as well as Darwin, but ii known that TAI is anxious to landing rights in Sydney. In t event Saigon-Boram-S ydm Noumea would be a logical route Mr. Rule explained that after war it was apparent that airstrip at Wewak was inc able of development to anyth like the standard required for I operations, while facilities for cs handling and minor maintenp work were primitive and incapj of improvement.

Mr. Rule said the Japanese-b Boram airstrip, about 5 miles f] Wewak, will be capable of t ing all types of aircraft in use in 1 Guinea and also of accepting craft up to DC6 standard. The partment had, therefore, decidec transfer operations to Boram.

At present, a hangar and a c bined operations and terminal br ing were being built with terminal incorporating not only normal passenger lounges but Customs, Health and Immigra facilities.

Mr. Rule said the installation Boram represented the minin requirements for an airport more than 500 movements per m* including international movem* They were the first permai terminal facilities designed for p wa r operations in Papua- Guinea. t In the year ended February 1956, Guinea Airways Ltd. ma< net profit of £36,471. Dire® recommended preference ordinary dividends of 12i per t