Development of air route along Arabian coast

This file contains concerns the eastbound air routes which pass through the Gulf and the south coast of Arabia. It contains the correspondence of Air Staff Headquarters, RAF Iraq Command at Hinaidi concerning exercises to test aircraft, landing grounds and anchorages for flying boats and weather conditions; carry out reconnaissance and photography; familiarise the local population with aircraft; and establish workable air routes to Aden and India. It includes:

• Need to develop an air route along the Gulf coast, as the Imperial Airways agreement to fly over the Persian [Iranian] coast to India will soon be terminated
• Difficulty of convincing the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Sultan Bin Salem Al Qasimi to permit the establishment of an aerodrome on his territory
• Reconnaissance of Masirah Island in the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman with a view to developing it as a refuelling facility; with notes on the island’s population
• Possibility of extending the air route from Aden up to Egypt