Crosville Object to Air Transport Application
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TRANSPORT licensing history was I made last week when Crosville Motor Services became the first road operators to appear before the recently formed Air Transport Licensing Boad to object to an application by Starways, Ltd., to vary their licence. between Hawarden, Liverool and Glasgow, by including an optional stop at Blackpool; increasing frequency; and reducing the tariff between Liverpool and Glasgow. Silver City Airlines and the B.T.C. also objected.
Mr. J. A. Wilson, for Starways, said that due to the present low frequency, the airline could not offer what they regarded as a "genuine service." If they were granted 12 return flights weekly, they would be able to offer at least two return flights daily, six days a week, and get generally more traffic.
They wished to reduce the single fare from £3 18s. to £3 15s. to bring it in line with the London fare. At present there was quite a disparity in the charges made to passengers.
Questioned by Mr. R. Oswald, for Crosville and the B.T.C.. Mr. Wilson said that the main intention was to provide a businessman's service between Blackpool and Glasgow. There was a reasonable demand, but not sufficient to warrant the steady operation of one aircraft on the route.
Asked what evidence he had to show that the needs of the public at present were not being met, Mr. Wilson replied: "There is no air service at all."
He agreed that the fare between Liverpool and Blackpool was proposed at £1 return, and between Glasgow and Blackpool at £5 return.
Mr. Oswald:" I am sure you will accept that the railway first-class return fare between Glasgow and Blackpool is £6 10s., and you are undercutting that by 30s.? "
Mr. Wilson replied: "We could put it another way by saying that the railways are overcharging." He pointed out that they were already operating the service at a fare of £6 return.
As is the normal procedure, the Board reserved their decision, which will be announced later.