Air Niugini

The airline can confirm that the policeman at the centre of the controversy boarded the aircraft without any firearm.

Air Niugini’s general manager corporate services, Marco McConnell, said all due processes were followed in Goroka to ensure the policeman boarded the aircraft unarmed and that the safety of passengers, crew and the aircraft was not compromised in any way.

Two pilots, a load master and a cabin crew member were operating a scheduled Regular Public Transport (RTP) service to Mendi when the incident occurred.

Link PNG will complete a full review of what occurred, and a risk assessment in accordance with PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority (PNG CASA) requirements.  

In a statement, Air Niugini says the services to Mendi are suspended and also temporarily to Tari and Wapenamanda, whilst Link PNG reviews its schedule due to the lack of this aircraft to provide services. 

The airport was closed after a report from the Royal Air Force claimed there was an underground cavity at the Tari runway.

It is also understood that Air Niugini ceased its flights due to security reasons.

National Airports Corporation quality assurance manager, John Bogona, told this newsroom that hopefully by this week, flights to Tari will resume.

He said a report will be given to Air Niugini today regarding the status of the airport.

The Hela Provincial Government is paying for all the costing involved in the inspection.

This also includes those appointed to managerial positions in Air Niugini’s subsidiary companies, proving the airline’s program a success.

25 staff members from the second tier management selected to participate in the initial program last year have now progressed to permanent managerial positions within the airline.

With this achievement, it now enables Captain Pakii to be in command or captain flights on the Air Niugini domestic and international network that are operated by Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 aircraft.

Her first commercial flight was on 04^th January this year on a Fokker 100 aircraft, PX106/107 flight from Port Moresby to Lae and back. With her in the flight deck was First Officer, Taylor Yama.

The code-share services will be provided under flights operated by Air Niugini.

The code-share arrangement with Air Vanuatu will be on the Port Moresby-Port Vila route via Honiara. The code-share arrangement with Solomon Airlines will be on the Port Moresby-Honiara route.

Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Paulus Ain, said whilst both code-share agreements raise competition concerns, they are likely to continue to bring more benefits to the players in the aviation industry and contribute to the growth of economic activities associated with the aviation industry. 

This follows the volcanic eruption on Kadovar Island in the Wewak district, East Sepik Province.

“Air Niugini wishes to advise the travelling public that Monday’s (08^th January 2018) flight, PX126, from Port Moresby to Wewak, has been rescheduled to daylight operations on Tuesday, 9^th of January.

“This is to allow for better visibility.”

However, the airline says this will be reviewed first thing in the morning to ascertain the situation.

Air Niugini, CEO Simon Foo says Air Niugini is aware of the proposed stop work by staff of the National Weather Service, which was uplifted this afternoon.

However, should the action have taken place, Air Niugini is assuring customers and stakeholders that measures in-place that would ensure they continue to provide air-services.

However, passengers may encounter delay to flight; Air Niugini has measures in-place to avoid disruptions, if and when they do happen. 

So far flights during the festive period have been operating smoothly confirmed Mr Foo.

CEO Simon Foo says this will complement the ‘approved destination status’ given to PNG by the Chinese Government.

He said a team has been working for the last 18 months to make the arrangement a reality.

“The approved destination status means our country has been approved by the Chinese government and that’s a very big tick that they regard us very closely as a nation to them, and their people will take on PNG as a favourite destination for the future.

“We just need to work out the details so that we can get visas-on-arrival on a reciprocal basis,” Foo said.

This is the consensus shared during a workshop hosted by Air Niugini and the Tourism Promotion Authority of PNG.

The 'China Ready Workshop' is a stepping stone for airlines, tour operators, hotels and other Tourism stakeholders to attain certification and accreditation as a trusted service provider for Chinese tourists.

Early this year Air Niugini announced that direct flights to China would begin in March ,2018.