XN000022-1973-04-27 — Page 2

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Friday, April 27, 1973

NEW DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION

Mr. R.E. Downing will succeed Mr. T.R. Thomson as Director of Civil

Aviation. Mr. Thomson will proceed on pre-retirement leave early next month.

Mr. Downing's promotion has been approved by the Secretary of State

for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

1947.

Aged 49, Mr. Downing served in the Royal Air Force from 1943 to

He arrived in Hong Kong in December 1947 on appointment as Air

Traffic Control Officer and was promoted to Assistant Director in December 1965.

He acted as Director of Civil Aviation on numerous occasions and

represented the department at the meeting of Directors of Civil Aviation at

New Delhi in 1970.

He also represented the Government at international meetings including

technical meetings of the International Civil Aviation Organization and Air

Services negotiations with neighbouring countries.

Mr. Downing is married with three children.

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