Aircraft service;      Transatlantic       684/ / /40
No. 197,
BRITISH HMBAS3Y,
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
February 27th, 1940-
My Lord,
••ith reference to my predecessor's despatch
No* 921 of the 15th August last, I have the honour to
transmit to Your Lordship herewith a clipping from the
"New''York Herald Tribune", dated 4th February, 1940,
referring to the prospects of a British-operated
trans-Atlantic air service to the United states being
resumed in the spring and implying that some pressure
is being brought to bear by the military authorities
in Great Britain to divert to military purposes the
aircraft earmarked to operate this trans-Atlantic air
service.
2. Although the British Broadcasting Corporation
issued recently a statement that British Overseas
Airways Corporation axe to operate a mail and express
service across the Atlantic on the northern air route
during the summer, I think that His Majesty's Government
may nonetheless be glad to be informed as to the serious
consequences, as seen from this capital, of what appears
to be the present somewhat inactive civil aviation
policy insofar as this affects our prestige in and our
commercial relations with this country not only at the
present time but more particularly after the war»
5» It cannot come as a surprise to Your Lordship
that, largely as a result of the war, Pan American
Airways have been left in undisputed command of the
Atlantic/
NB:GCP:NT
The Right Honourable
The Viscount Halifax, K« 0.,
etc*,       etc*, etc.
Atlantic and Pacific civil airways*      They are
making the most of this advantageous situation and have
no qualms about doing so.     Quite apart therefore from
the present lack of any speedy means of written communica-
tion of a confidential nature between Great Britain and
the United atates at this critical time and the general
effect that the abandonment in October, 1939, of our trans-
Atlantic air mail service nad on our prestige generally
in this country, it would appear to be of the utmost
importance not to lose sight of the serious situation with
which we shall undoubtedly be confronted after the war
is over when we want to recapture our due share of trans-
Atlantic air traffic.     By that time Pan American Airways,
and possibly American   report Air Lines, will be well
established on the Atlantic air route and the general
public so accustomed to tievelling by these lines and so
confident in their reliability and safety of operation
that they will be reluctant to travel by a new service
lacking in experience of passenger trans-Atlantic air
operations, and probably having inferior passenger equip-
ment if the present policy of holding up all won; on trans-
oceanic civil aircraft is continued.
4. I would therefore strongly urge that, notwith-
standing the demands of the military air services which, I
realise, must receive primary consideration, the future of
civil aviation unu especially of trans-Atlantic air
services should constantly be borne in mind.    1 regard it
as highly desirable tnat a trans-Atlantic service should
be operated, not only in the summer months as in 1939,
but also during the winter months, either with landplanes
over the northern route or with flying boats over the
southern/
-3-
eouthern route*       At the same time I recommend that
His Majesty's Government should immediately consider
the advisability of resuming construction of the type
of transport aircraft required for trans-oceanic flying,
Searing particularly in mind that Pan American Airways
are not only doubling their existing number of joeing
"Clippers" but have also issued specifications for a
still larger type of trans-Atlantic aircraft, which
they intend to order for delivery in 1941/42.
I have the honour to be,
with the highest respect,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,