Civil Air Route: Persian Gulf and Arabian Coast

This file concerns HMG’s efforts to establish a new civil air route between Iraq and British India through the Arabian Coast of the Gulf. It contains correspondence on:

• Details of the ultimately unsuccessful negotiations between HMG and the government of Persia [Iran] for the maintenance of Imperial Airways’ operation of a route across the south of Iran
• Possible air route over central Iran
• Need to develop a new route through the Gulf
• Unwillingness of the Ruler of Nejd Amir Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (IIbn Saud) to grant permission for an air route over his territory
• Consideration and reconnaissance of appropriate sites for air stations in the Gulf
• Initial plans to operate a service utilising ‘flying boats’
• Political Resident in the Persian Gulf Hugh Vincent Biscoe's visit to the Trucial Coast to negotiate for the establishment of a night stopping station
• Debate concerning the use of either an onshore rest house or a rest ship at the proposed station
• Security arrangements for the proposed air stations; and the use of Indian forces to defend air stations in the Trucial Coast
• Possible damage to British prestige in the Middle East resulting from failure to negotiate and establish a viable alternative to the south Iran route
• Strategic importance of maintaining an air route in the Gulf
• Unsuccessful negotiations with the Ruler of Debai [Dubai] Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Hashir Al Maktoum and the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Sultan Bin Salem Al Qasimi
• Continuing the air mail service in the Gulf
• Proposals for the use of Sir Beni Yas [Sir Bani Yas] Island and a suitable depot ship as a station for the route
• Decision to run the proposed Gulf route using planes ‘landplane’ aircraft; and the reconnaissance of suitable landing sites
• Cost estimates
• Concerns regarding the reactions of hostile tribes to aircraft landing on the Trucial Coast
• Question of allowing foreign aircraft to use the Gulf route
• Successful completion of negotiations between the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Bin Khalid Al Qasimi and the Political Resident for the establishment of the necessary air station at Sharjah

The file also concerns the proposals by the British Government of India for the reduction of HM Ships in the Gulf.