The Nome Nugget

Munz Airways Certificate Threatened By Proposal in Intra-Alaska Case

The Civil Aeronautics Board is scheduled to begin a hearing Monday at Anchorage, on what is generally known as the Intra-Alaska Case.

The CAB has indicated that the general problem to be decided at the hearing is "how best to revise the air route pattern (within Alaska) to take account of the changing conditions (within the territory) and at the same time how to most effectively improve the service to the public, lower fares, eliminate unnecessary duplication, reduce subsidies and encourage the carriers to get equipment more suited to the needs of their routes and traffic."

Munz Airways has held a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for 18 years and has served the Kougarok and other mining camps on Seward Peninsula with a reliable service. Now it is proposed to suspend all irregular route certificates, which would put this firm out of business.

Alaska is a growing country and needs more, not less, air service.

Individuals should be encouraged, not discouraged, to develop transportation routes and engage in starting new routes as the country opens up. Private industry and competition should not be stifled if we are to develop, nor handicapped when it tries to expand.

The Chamber of Commerce has taken action by sending the following telegram to the CAB hearing examiner in Anchorage:

"Northwestern Alaska Chamber of Commerce prays that the certificate of Munz Airways be retained. To date no certificated airline is able to serve all Seward Peninsula. We ask that the CAB make a personal survey to really understand the airlines problems; that the brief filed for Munz Airways by J. P. Jack Whaley be carefully studied so that you may understand Northwestern Alaska Chamber of Commerce interest in Munz Airways certificate and the service so needed for Seward Peninsula.

(Signed) N.W.A. Chamber of Commerce"

Individuals and mining operators served by Munz Airways are urged to express their views immediately in support of the continuance of this established air service by wiring Herbert Bryan, Hearing Examiner, CAB, Loussac Sogn Bldg., Anchorage.