TNAG-0780-FCO40-984-Involvement-of-Hong-Kong-in-air-services-agreements-1978 — Page 201

(CONTINUE TYPING HERE)

DRAFT UK REPLY TO THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

The Un Gort

1 HMG shares the Australian Government's desire for

cheaper air fares between Australia and the UK. These

would help to cement still further the close relationship

between the two countries.

2

We find the Australian proposals of end to end scheduled services, low fares and high aircraft utilisation on the

noveê trunk route between the UK and Australia interesting] and

attractive. If such a scheme could be introduced in an

orderly and acceptable manner and subject to solutions being found to certain practical problems identified in the talks, we would cooperate in the implementation of

the Australian proposals.

3 The Australian proposals in respect of the Australia/UK route have important implications for a number of other

| countries, notably India, Malaysia, Singapore and

Thailand. We understand that the Australians intend to

open negotiations with these countries.

We should welcome

the opportunity to consider these proposals further with the Australian authorities in the light of those

discussions.

4

We are not yet in a position to respond to the Australian proposals in respect of the routes between

Hong Kong and Australia.

File No.