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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 12 (April 1, 1929)

Air Transport

Air Transport.

Railway news at the moment appears crammed full with reports of the activities of the “Iron Way” off the railway itself. On top of the interest now being taken in road transport, comes evidence that the Home railways are now contemplating important activities in the air. They consider it essential to meet the competition of the air carriers at an early stage of aviation's growth (writes our special London Correspondent). It is recognised on every hand that in delaying their action in connection with road transport, the Home railways lost much valuable business which might have been retained had an energetic campaign against the road competitors been launched some years ago. This time the railways of Britain do not intend to be caught napping, and are performing the wisest of actions in tackling, in energetic fashion, at this early stage, the problem of aerial competition.

Government permission is now being sought by each of the four Home railway groups to provide and operate aircraft of their own for the transport of all kinds of traffic; to establish and maintain aerodromes at selected points; and to enter into working arrangements, as may seem desirable, with outside air carriers. It is unlikely at the outset that any of the Home railways will acquire aircraft of their own. For the time being, attention will doubtless be concentrated upon entering into friendly working arrangements with existing air carriers.