An SAS of the East?

The Scandinavian Airlines System, jointly owned by Denmark, Sweden and Norway, is a rare example of several countries cooperating in a single transport commercial enterprise. Before long, the world may have another example. Exploratory talks are now being held among representatives of Pakistan, Turkey and Iran about the possibility of establishing a joint three-nation air system similar to SAS. A final decision will be made within a year, and the decision is expected to be yes.

Each of the three would continue to operate its internal routes, but international flights to such points as Vienna, Rome, Geneva, Athens and Frankfurt would become a joint service. Together, as the planners see it, the three nations would be able to finance and fly new equipment and negotiate traffic rights that are difficult to attain alone in an increasingly complex air age. The backbone of the new line would probably be Pakistan International Airlines. One international run that profitable, government-owned PIA would continue to fly solo: its weekly flights from Dacca to Red China, which have been so successful that the line last week started a second weekly flight. Turkey and Iran do not recognize Red China.

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