Aer Lingus via Rickards
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• The Metropolitan Traffic Commissioners on Tuesday granted Chas. Rickards (Tours) Ltd., Brentford, a licence to operate the Aer Lingus service between Heathrow Airport and the Brompton Air Terminal, Egerton Gardens, SW3. This service was formerly operated by Whyte's of Edgware.
The Commissioners were told that it was not in order to ventilate personal grievances that Whyte's had objected to Rickards' application but because of wider problems concerning all coach operators. The service had been operated by Whyte's at a rate considered unprofitable, said Mr. L. G. Whyte, managing director, because Aer Lingus took over a third in commission to help run the air terminal.
Mr. Whyte said Aer Lingus had complained of Whyte's service and had told him that unless it improved, the contract would not be renewed and tenders would be invited from other operators.
Mr. Whyte felt it was imperative to clear the company's name in court and not in private because of 10 years' unblemished service.
It was said in court that Rickards had agreed to operate the service at a higher rate per passenger,