AN article published by The Fiji Times on February 8, 1958 titled “Qantas to Buy Fiji Airways”, stated Mrs A F Gatty had agreed to sell to Qantas Empire Airways her late husband’s shares in Katafaga Estates Ltd. A spokesman for Mrs Gatty announced this in Suva.

Fiji Airways was owned by Katafaga Estates Ltd.

The spokesman did not disclose details of the purchase price or the date on which Qantas would take over.

But he said the sale would take place after Mrs Gatty had obtained probate of the late Mr Gatty’s will.

The spokesman added: “The agreement will give Qantas a controlling interest in the company which owns and operates Fiji Airways.

“Qantas will provide management and Fiji Airways Services will continue without interruption.”

The announcement confirmed persistent rumours which had been circulating in Suva and Fiji for some time.

Mrs Gatty returned that week from a visit to Sydney.

One Rapide

Mr Gatty started operating Fiji Airways in September 1951 with one eight passenger, twin-engine Rapide aircraft.

The aircraft made two flights daily, including Sundays, between Nausori, Nadi and Lautoka.

It used the old Drasa airfield at Lautoka but in 1954 the Drasa call was eliminated.

Captain F Ladd, who operated his own service of amphibians in New Zealand, was Mr Gatty’s first pilot.

After the inauguration of the Nausori-Nadi-Lautoka service, Mr Gatty purchased two more Rapides and started services to Labasa, Savusavu and Taveuni. From July 1954, Fiji Airways began replacing the Rapides with Drovers although one Rapide continued in operation until late in 1958.

It was then bought by a company in New Caledonia and was still in operation there.

Staff of 20

Fiji Airways at the time owned three Drovers.

From Nausori, it operated 17 services weekly to Nadi, 10 to Labasa, five to Savusavu and four to Taveuni.