Air Niugini will continue to outsource ticket sales and airport services at selected domestic centres.
General Manager, Customers and Markets Dominic Kaumu made these remarks when signing an agreement with a travel agency in Kieta last Wednesday.
He said the outsourcing of its sales office was part of the airline’s effort to streamline operations, however, its major domestic ports will not be affected.
Kaumu and Manageress of Poonang Travel Agency, Pamela Dasiona signed an agreement in Kieta to seal the handover/take over arrangement.
This brings the total number of offices outsourced so far to three in the Autonomous region of Bougainville.
Kaumu said: “While we endeavour to streamline operations, it is also the airline’s way of giving back to the community and we are confident of the people that we appoint to continue the sales and ticketing work for Air Niugini, Poonang Travel Agency is no exception.”
He said it is Air Niugini’s way of supporting and promoting tourism in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and in this case, Arawa by partnering with a local who is already in the tourism industry to continue the airline ticketing responsibility.
Daiona and her family run a lodge and other small businesses in Kieta.
Dasiona said to maintain services which have been provided by Air Niugini for a long time is not easy, however she is confident they will continue to maintain and operate according to Air Niugini standards.
Poonang Travel Agency is located in the Arevai building in the centre of Arawa town.
“We are happy and humbled for the confidence Air Niugini has in us and will maintain ANG standards as we serve the travel needs of our people of South and Central Bougainville.”