Second volcanic eruption disrupts flights

Air Niugini has stopped all aircraft overnighting in Madang effective today, June 28th, due to the eruption of Manam volcano.

Manam is the second volcano to have erupted just days after the eruption of Mt Ulawun in West New Britain.

There will be no aircraft overnight in Madang this weekend while PX 112 on Saturday and Sunday will be rescheduled to the following day.

Hoskins aerodrome meanwhile is still closed for airline operations. Air Niugini has retimed and re-routed all Hoskins flights for this weekend via Rabaul and Lae. National Airports Corporation (NAC) has commenced removing the ash from the runway and taxiways but this will take some time.

Tomorrow, Saturday’s flight PX 204 from Port Moresby to Rabaul has been retimed to depart later, leaving Port Moresby at 11:25am instead of 10:50am while PX 209 from Rabaul will be re-rerouted direct to Lae instead of via Hoskins and back to Port Moresby.

Sunday’s flight PX 202 and PX 203 will be re-routed to operate from Port Moresby to Rabaul and back. PX 208 on Monday will also be retimed to depart at 08:10am and will be re-routed via Lae and Rabaul before returning to Port Moresby.

Air Niugini is closely monitoring the situation on a daily basis and the resumption of flights will depend on the volcanic activity and the speed that NAC can have the airport back to full operations.

“Passengers who are traveling to Hoskins are reminded not to travel at this time as you may be stranded in Port Moresby. Should passengers insist to travel, all costs will be at their own expense,” said the airline.

“Air Niugini appreciates the traveling public’s understanding on this matter, which is unfortunately beyond our control.”

Author: 
Press release