US Might 'Scoop the Pool'
p. 47 · Read in the full issue
«Australia and France should hurry to patch their airways quarrel.
If they don’t, they may see the United States scoop the pool f on the South Pacific air route,” said the Sydney ‘Daily Telegraph in an editorial on December 24.
The editorial went on, “In recent negotiations France offered Australia air traffic rights in Paris or alternatively in Tahiti and Marseilles for rights in Sydney. The talks broke down. France walked out in a huff. French planes will no longer come to north Australia.
Australia has no rights in Tahiti or France.
“The United States looks gleefully on. France has already given the US air rights in Tahiti in exchange for rights in Los Angeles.
Australia bartered air rights in Sydney for ker semce.
This gives the US the green light across the South Pacific. Pan American Airways has already applied to the US the right to operate a new Los Angeles, Honolulu Tahiti Sydney service. They then plan to fly across Australia to link with the Pan American East Asia network at Djakarta.
“If Australia and France do not get together they will find the Americans sweeping through their South Pacific airports while they still snarl and ban each other from them. The French are notoriously *iard to deal with. Australians are tough. Compromise is the only solution. Australia and France have only a few months to agree.
Tahiti’s grand new airport, to take the biggest 'jets, will be ready by Ihe end of 1960. This quarrel should end quickly. Surely the experts ?an hammer out an equitable agreement.