Pan-Am Picked For Tokyo Route

Pan American World Airways won the second round of the fight for the Saipan-Tokyo route, from Conti nental/Air Micronesia. Civil Aero nautics Board administrative law judge, Judge Greer M. Murphy, re commended Pan-Am for the route.

He said he gave considerable weight to the wishes of the people of Micro nesia as a whole, but gave greater weight to the wishes of the people of the Marianas, as they would be most affected.

The battle between PAA and Con tinental/Air Micronesia saw a lot of dirty linen washed during public hearings; including allegations of bribery and pressurising officials.

Some of the allegations were of a nature which suggested that the light weight third applicant for the route, Northwest Orient Airlines, could receive the final nod.

However, Judge Murphy in his 180-page report made three final points; • No applicant should be dis qualified for any misconduct; • The local civic support was

divided, but there was significant support for both PAA and Conti nental Air/Micronesia; • The conduct of the parties should have no effect in changing Judge Milton Shapiro's original de cision that PAA should get the route.

There are still two steps before PAA is finally assured of the route— (l) The full CAB will review Judge Murphy’s report and make recom mendations; (2) Award of the route by President Ford.

The decision is not expected till sometime in 1975. Meanwhile further lobbying is expected. The general manager of Continental/Air Micro nesia, Mr Barrie Duggan, flew to Los Angeles to meet Continental officials, and to help in determining the airline’s position in relation to Judge Murphy’s findings. Conti nental/Air Micronesia at present serves the six districts of Micronesia.

At hearings at Saipan early this year, representatives of all districts gave evidence. The Congress of Micronesia adopted a resolution favouring Continental/Air Micro nesia.