AIR TRANSPORT NEWS BIG INCREASE IN JANUARY. MARCH AIR MAILS.
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Statistics published by the Postmaster-General show a gratifying increase in the volume of air mail despatched from this country in the first quarter of 1934; approximately ,.:00,000 more letters were sent away by air than in the first quarter of 1933. The weight of letters sent by the Egypt, India service was 22,000 lb. (increase 48 per cent.), by the African service .7,700 lb. (48 per cent.), by other extra-European services 6,700 lb. (12 per cent) and by European services 16,400 lb (100 per cent.). The total of air letters sent is 52,800 lb. (increase 54 per cent), and of air parcels 33,700 lb. (21 per cent.).
Isle of Wight Service Figures.
In the week to April 26, Portsmouth, Southsea and Isle of Wight Aviation, Ltd., carried single-journey passengers on its regular air lines as follow :— Portsmouth-Ryde, 210; PortsmouthShoreham, five; Portsmouth-Shanklin, 26.
For the Cup Final match at Wembley on April 28, the company sent its Wessex G-ABVB from Portsmouth on several return trips to Heston, carrying in all 28 return passengers. Extremely low fares were charged, namely, 12s. 6d. single and 25s. return, and these included ground -transport at each end. The company also made three trips that day with a Fox Moth to Heston, Cowes and Ryde, carrying newspapers.
• Spartan-Railways Joint Service Commences.
On May 1 the inaugural flight took place of the Croydon-Cowes air line, which is • being operated this year jointly by Spartan Air Lines, Ltd., and the Southern Railway Co. For the first two weeks there will be two departures daily in each direction, and thereafter four. Spartan Cruisers are being used and the fares are 30s. single and 50s. return, Walsall Aerodrome: Rapid progress.
Walsall Corporation advises us that on April 24 an Air Ministry inspector tested the surface of the Aldridge Road aerodrome site and on April 27 intimation was received that the issue of a licence was recommended. The contractors for erection of the hangar and main building are T. Partridge and Co., Ltd., and Messrs. Duncan and Boardman, both of Walsall. The hangar will probably be ready before Whitsun, and will be 90 ft. long and 75 ft. in span, the height of the doorway being 14 ft. The landing area measures 63i acres, the maximum and minimum runs being 550 yds. and 400 yds. The site is well placed commercially for air-transport services.
Figures of Hillman and M.S.A.V.
Traffic.
In the week to April 29, Hillman Airways, Ltd., carried 71 single-journey passengers on the Rornford-Paris daily air service. Private-charter flights • were made to Liverpool and to Brook lands, with respectively seven and three passengers.
In the same week Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd., carried 17 single. journey passengers on its BamfordBelfast service, four on its Bamford-. Glasgow line and six on the RomfordLiverpool section of these services.
New Traffic Control at 1-leston.
From May 1 a new traffic-control system has been introduced at Heston Airport, and is similar to that in operation at Croydon. There is a neutral zone, clearly marked, wherein landings may not be made. Departing aircraft have to await a signal from the control tower. A 2i-ft. yellow cube is displayed on a mast whenever the system is in operation.
Busy Week-end for the French Company.
On Saturday, April 27, 29 aeroplanes belonging to .Air France carried 182 passengers in and out of Paris. The 1.30 p.m. Paris-London service, the 6 P.m. London-Paris service and the midday Paris-Lyon service were triplicated. The Lyon-Paris service was quadrupled. The summer time-table of Air France came into operation on May 1.
Swasisea Aerodrome Scheme Again Deferred.
By a majority of a single vote Swansea Corporation has again deferred the scheme for providing an aerodrome, and has declined to sanction the expenditure of a relatively small sum upon a survey of the area. Those opposed to the scheme seem to think it should be undertaken by private enterprise. SOUTH ATLANTIC ZEPPELIN SERVICE RESTARTING.
The German-South American airship service will open again on May 26, with departures every second Saturday from Friedrichshafen and every second Thursday from Rio de Janeiro. Fares have been reduced 20 per cent, and the return fare will thus be about £180. The Graf Zeppelin will be used. In the meantime the new airship LZ129 is being constructed, with a length of 813 ft. and a maximum beam of 133 ft It will have four Maybach 1,000 b.h.p. oil engines. Passenger accommodation will include 25 staterooms, each with hot and cold running water, also a smoking room and large promenade decks. The freight holds in the hull base will accommodate motorcars, etc.
The Island Express Starts.
On May 1 Portsmouth, Southsea and Isle of Wight Aviation, Ltd., started its Heston-Ryde-Shanklin service with' two departures in each direction daily. From May 17 this will be increased to three and from July 1 to four, with two extra departures at holiday week-ends. On Sundays there will be a reduced service.
At present the Wessex G-ABVB is being used, but from May 17 a Dragon eight-seater with Marconi wireless equipment will take on the work. The fares are 19s. 6d. single and 38s. 6d. return.
Activities on the London-Plymouth Route.
In the week to April 29 the aeroplanes of Provincial Airways, Ltd., flew 5,600 miles. This figure includes the company's Croydon-SouthamptonHaldon-Plymouth line, as well as two charter flights, one to Carlisle and one out over the sea from Falmouth to photograph a Swedish ship. A feature of the week's activities was that several passengers made day trips to London, spending three or four hours in the Metropolis.
-Figures of the New Mersey Ferry.
During last week 60 single-journey passengers were carried on the ferry service across the Mersey Estuary between Hooton and Speke aerodromes, which was inaugurated two weeks ago by •Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd. This company houses many of its main-line machines at Houton, although Speke is its port of call for Liverpool on the London, Glasgow and Belfast twice-daily air service.
Hereford : An Aerodrome Move.
Hereford Corporation recommends the purchase of 37 acres of land at Grandstand Road for the provision of an aerodrome.