Despite Crisis

Record Set

A record 2,323,552 scheduled pas sengers were carried to and from Britain by Overseas Division in the year ended March 31—almost four times the number carried in 1963-64.

This represents an average growth rate over the past 10 years of 15 per cent a year.

Growth during 1973-74 was aver aging 11 per cent until the fuel crisis lead to cancellation of some services.

Nevertheless, overall growth for the year was 6.9 per cent.

The passenger load factor on these flights rose from 63.9 per cent in 1972- to 65.5 per cent last year, bringing in extra revenue around £6.3 million. This was the second highest ratio of the past 10 years.

Revenue yield over the entire net work improved from 1.95 p per pas senger mile in 1972-3 to 2.13 p in 1973- On eastern routes, British Air ways routes covering Asia and Aust ralia, the most dramatic passenger load factor increases were achieved on UK-Japan (up 14 per cent to 62 per cent on the route via Anchorage and up 17 per cent to 54 per cent on the route via Moscow).

The UK-South Africa load factor, at 60 per cent, was up 11 per cent.

UK-mid Atlantic improved by two per cent to 68 per cent, with UK- Mexico doing particularly well.

Western routes (which includes British Airways Pacific services) operated 57 per cent full on average, one percentage point better than in 1972 and representing extra revenue of around £2 million.

Pickpockets

At The Zoo

The don’t-feed-the-animals rule at London Zoo and warnings about the length of elephant’s trunks and their ability to reach handbags, has made a lot of difference to the health of the inmates. The zoo tells me that in the year before the notice went up elephants seized 14 coats, 12 hand bags, 10 cameras, eight gloves and six return tickets to Leicester.

Jackie Stewart teams up

with British Airways

World champion racing driver Jackie Stewart has teamed up with British Airways. The triple champion who recently retired from competi tion driving has signed a three-year contract to do promotional work.

As one of the world’s most ‘'pro fessional” passengers—he clocks up 450,000 miles in air travel a year— he will generally promote air travel and become the British Airways motor industry consultant, endorsing the Fly-Drive and Freewheeler pro ducts. His broad knowledge and in volvement in sport generally, which culminated in his being named ‘Sportsman of the Year’, will also provide a valuable fund of experi ence and advice on which the airline can draw.

Jackie Stewart will make several appearances on behalf of British Airways at home and abroad. He

will also talk with staff and the travel trade putting forward his views on what the busy executive likes and dislikes.

Why British Airways? Jackie Stewart says: “I am used to a very high standard of preparation and performance—that was my life—and I consider British Airways to fit these requirements. I am extremely selective, I go for the best in every activity and I believe that for some one who flies as much as I do British Airways is the finest in the world. I really feel more confident in their hands, not only in Europe but throughout the world”.

The 34-year-old Scot now lives in Switzerland with his family. His international business interests mean that he spends more time travelling by air than many airline pilots, some 900 hours a year at the last count. He has made some 40 trans atlantic trips for television appear ances in recent years.

Stopover in

Hong Kong

Many travellers like to spend a few days in Hong Kong on their way to or from Britain. Apart from see ing this beautiful island and the fas cinating New Territories, it gives the opportunity to shop on the last part of the journey and saves having to carry things from one place to an other.

British Airways have produced a special cheap stopover package for their passengers.

This gives a choice of five hotels and the price includes accommoda tion for two nights, continental breakfast, service charges, transport to and from an airport and a half day sightseeing tour by air con ditioned motor coach either of Hong Kong Island or of Kowloon and the New Territories.

Prices are from $A20.30 per per son.