had conducted its maiden flight during the previous year, and BEA was beginning to recognise that jet aircraft could soon be providing stiff competition.

In April 1956, Anthony Milward, chief executive of BEA, stated that he "would rather do without [jet airliners]". Nevertheless, in December of that same year Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, BEA's chairman, stated that a number of jet-powered short haul aircraft might need to