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CONFIDENTIAL
TOREIGN OFFICE, s.w.1.
December 16, 1953..
Dear Residency,
We recently had a report from Lobley of British
Overseas Airways Corporation about his visit to the Gulf.
Among other things he talked to us about the air service
to Muscat to which your telegram No. 256 to Muscat
refers. Lobley said that the demand for the service
undoubtedly existed and that both you and the Sultan were
keenly interested in the idea. The difficulty was that
Muscat aerodrome 18 very poor. Gertain improvements
are absolutely essential before any service can begin,
and Gulf Aviation might be prepared to pay for this if they
were given exclusive use of the field and not charged for
landing there. This point will of course have to be
discussed with the Sultan, but so long as he does not join
the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which would
prevent him discriminating in favour of Gulf Aviation, we
see no objection to Lobley's proposal.
2. As a first step. some B.0.A.C. pilots are being
sent to Muscat to measure the angle of take-off for single engined aircraft so that Gulf Aviation can decide whether
operations to Muscat would be operationally possible.
Champniss also paid a visit to Muscat recently and has
sent the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation a report
which you have no doubt seen. They have sent a copy on
to B.0.A.C. who must now decide whether they wish to
pursue the idea of a service to Muscat. We shall keep
you in touch with any developments at this end.
3. We are sending a copy of this letter to liuscat.
Yours ever,
GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
The Residency,
Bahrain.
