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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0772.PDF
"Fight International" photographs Symbolizing the new head-on encounter between BOAC and Cunard Eagle in the western hemisphere, a BOAC 707-420 from London via New York taxies in at Nassau shortly after a Cunard Eagle 707-420 from London via Bermuda. The Viscount in the picture is one of two 720s operated by Bahamas Airways, a BOAC associate, on the route to Miami in competition with Cunard Eagle's Viscounts AIR COMMERCE. Cunarder Jet Challenge Eagle Versus Speedbird By the Air Transport Editor EVEN the most implacable defenders of BOAC hegemony must marvel at the seemingly sudden new situation on the cor poration's western routes. Across the mid-Atlantic an independent airline, Cunard Eagle, is:— (1) Flying the fastest services, with superior equipment, between London and Bermuda; (2) Flying jet services from London to the Bahamas as fast as those of BOAC via New York; (3) Penetrating, for the first time, into Jamaica—traditionally BOAC territory—with jet services from London that are as fast as those of BOAC via New York; and (4) Flying with jets the only service between London and Miami, a faster and more convenient routing than that via New York for traffic moving between the south USA/Latin America and Europe. While countless words and man-hours are being expended at home in advocacy for and against the right of the independents to compete with the corporations, Cunard Eagle are so competing. The UK licensing system has, it seems, been outflanked. How has it happened? Could the effect on BOAC be serious? Will Cunard, who are putting millions into the operation, see their money back? On May 5, Cunard Eagle inaugurated a twice-weekly Boeing 707-420 service London-Bermuda-Nassau, one flight terminating in Miami, the other in Jamaica. From July 5, when a second 707 is in service, there will be three weekly flights, two terminating in Maimi and one in Jamaica.* Hitherto these services, except the one to Jamaica, which is new, have been operated by CEA's Britannias at * For the record, Cathay Pacific Airways of Hong Kong were the first British independent to operate regular jet Convair 880) services, on April 8. Cunard Eagle were, however, the first British independent to operate jets with fare-paying passengers, on "ad hoc" services from March 27 Bermuda-New York. a weekly frequency. The effect on BOAC has not been significant; but now, with the introduction of jets, higher frequency and the addition of Jamaica, the situation changes dramatically. The short answer to the question, How has it happened ? is that these services are operated under the flag of Bermuda, a British colony with an air-transport mind of its own which has given Eagle every support and encouragement (other than financial) since the day, four years ago, when Eagle began a Bermuda-New York Viscount service. A year later, with the moral support of the Bahamas Government, Eagle began a Nassau-Miami service. From these beginnings have developed, under the name Cunard, the services now being operated. Looking back on the weeks that followed the revocation of Cunard Eagle's North Atlantic licence, Mr H. Snelling, chief ex ecutive of CEA western hemisphere, says: "It could have sunk us, but it didn't, it hasn't and it isn't going to." Now CEA intends to re-apply for the North Atlantic. In the meantime (to answer the second question), could the effect on BOAC of the mid-Atlantic services be serious? BOAC have been in these markets for years, and they fear nobody. Their services are second to none. But there has always been, in certain colonies in the area, an affectation of dissatisfaction with BOAC— rooted perhaps in the misconception of this State corporation as some sort of instrument of Whitehall. This has manifest itself in support and encouragement for CEA. Competition for BOAC from a British carrier is new and dis turbing, especially when it has the backing of Cunard, a company with a big name and a 100 year tradition of service and selling in North America. The effect could be serious, especially if Jamaica grants CEA a franchise to carry its flag, as Bermuda and the Bahamas have done. Jamaica is to be independent on August 6, and (accord- Cunard Eagle's jet crews comprise two pilots, a navigator and an engineering officer. In the left-hand seat on the inaugural flight (commanded by Capt G. Henderson) are Senior 1st Offr G. W. Burrell and right 1st Oflfr K. Jones. The flight engineer is Mr R. B. Marks. This picture was taken soon after Capt Henderson had exchanged messages with the captain of the Cunard flagship "Queen Elizabeth" over the Atlantic at a position S2°22minN 28°30minW at 35,000ft, Mach 0.82, 490kt TAS
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