AVIATION: Caribbean Network

Will seven more airlines be allowed to fly regular routes south from Miami over the waters where Pan American Airways has so long held undisturbed sway?

Thirteen lines rushed in when the Civil Aeronautics Board, spurred by a now-desperate transport shortage, called for applications to fly the Caribbean. Six of them were thrown out because of lack of planes or personnel, the others were promised a hearing this Friday.

Most interesting would-be invader of Pan American’s domain is big Eastern Air Lines, which wants to compete with Pan American pretty much everywhere, presumably with Douglas DC-35 from its crowded U.S. routes. Lowell Yerex of Central American flying fame asked for two routes each for his TACA and British West Indian Airways. KLM Royal Dutch Air Lines asked a route to the Dutch West Indies. The other three surviving new applicants are Florida-born National Airlines; Aerovias Nacionales Puerto Rico; and Cuba’s new Expreso Aero Inter-Americano. Meanwhile Pan American’s own belligerent half-subsidiary Panagra (TIME, March 16) still has an application pending for a terminus in Miami, Tampa or New Orleans.

Even if all the new certificates are granted Pan American will still be the colossus of the Caribbean. Last week it announced plans to operate still more frequent service, including a second run daily between Miami and the Canal Zone.

Reason for all this furor in the air: German submarines under the water.