Eastern Looks

Like Coming

South

Eastern Airlines will almost certainly be the second US airline to fly the South Pacific, from major eastern US cities to Aus tralia and New Zealand, via at least three stops in the Pacific Islands.

This follows the April news that the United States Civil Aeronautics Board has recommended that Eastern join Pan American Airways on the South Pacific.

After considering claims of 17 other US airlines, the board has awarded Eastern a franchise for flights from 11 US and Mexico cities to Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.

Eastern’s projected schedules for the South Pacific by-pass the US West Coast and fly on via Hawaii, or go by way of Mexico City and Acapulco.

From there Eastern would call at Papeete, Pago Pago and Nadi before reaching Australia or New Zealand.

Must be approved

Eastern’s recommendation for the South Pacific must first be approved by several bodies before the airline gets a final clearance to operate, probably next year.

The board itself will review the recommendation and hear any ap peals by the unsuccessful airlines; then President Johnson must give his approval and then the last fence must be crossed Australian ap proval.

Eastern is on record, together with Canadian Pacific Airlines, as saying that it will cut trans-Pacific air fares 25 per cent, if it is given a profit able South Pacific service, but of course these must be fought through the all-powerful international airline association, lATA.

It is hard to see trans-Pacific fares immediately crumbling by a mighty quarter, even with a new competitor on the route—opposition is far too strong. But certainly cuts must come on the South Pacific.

If Eastern can enter the South Pacific on a good frequency basis, then Qantas may be paid-off by getting another West Coast US call, such as Los Angeles.