Air Niugini

This training is the first for a PNG Airline and focuses on Competency-based Training and Assessments (CBTA) guidelines.

Air Niugini’s Acting CEO, Gary Seddon stated that the accreditation followed a stringent review of the dangerous goods regulations. CBTA is a new, mandated method of conducting and assessing DG training by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and IATA.

He said the fares were not approved by the Air Niugini Board; hence resulted in the termination of some executive officers.

“Those increases were never approved by the board of Air Niugini and never came to me as the Minister responsible and that is why the people behind this were terminated,” Duma told Parliament.

He said this is one of the reasons as to why the Cabinet have to make the decision to let go of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Duma added that Air Niugini’s intention was to provide fare that is affordable to the people and not such increased fares.

Chairman for Motu Koita Assembly and Deputy Governor for NCD, Dadi Toka Jnr, acknowledged the sponsors and stated that the assembly is looking forward for the beginning of another long term sponsor.

Deputy Governor stated that the Air Niugini sponsorship covers International Return Airline Tickets for the Hiri Hanenamo Title Winners and Domestic Return Airline Tickets for the Hiri Hanenamo contestants.

This restriction was effective as of Wednesday 4^th January, 2023; and affects Air Niugini and all other airlines operating throughout Papua New Guinea.

“Air Niugini pilots have recently noted an increase in instances of high intensity laser lights being pointed at aircraft while on approach to a number of airports around PNG, but especially in Port Moresby during night landing at both ends of the Jackson’s airport,” said the airline.

“Laser lights pose a threat to the safety of the flight as the glare makes it difficult to concentrate on flight instruments and if the pilots are temporarily blinded by it at a critical phase of flight, this can endanger the safety of the aircraft and may lead to an accident. 

This was effective Friday 05^th August.

PNG Pandemic Controller and Police Commissioner, David Manning, issued the latest Pandemic Order no. 2 on Friday, which removes all requirements for COVID-19 tests on arrival in the country.

All Air Niugini inbound passengers from Australia, Asia and the Pacific can now travel into Port Moresby without having to do any COVID-19 tests on arrival.

Air Niugini will operate daily Fokker jet services between Port Moresby and Kavieng, as well as connecting the provincial capital of New Ireland with Rabaul, Hoskins, Lae, Manus Island and Buka. 

The resumption of Fokker flights follows the completion of runway maintenance and upgrading works by the National Airports Corporation (NAC). 
Since the works on the airport runway commenced over a year ago, Air Niugini has been operating to Kavieng using smaller Dash-8 aircraft, but with passenger numbers restricted to as few as 20 at times because of the shortened runway.

The airline’s decision to suspend flights was made after it received a Notice to Pilots (NOTAM), consequently forcing the cancellation of all five flights today (July 12). 
Air Niugini states that it will continue to closely monitor the situation and will resume operations as soon as it is safe, including withdrawal of the NOTAM.

The airline adds that passengers who purchased tickets for the flights that were cancelled can revalidate their travel for the next available flight.

The airline’s Destinations Loyalty Program has partnered with Badili Hardware Limited (BHL) for a year, adding more value to the Program.

Badili Hardware joins six (6) other corporate partners that provide discounts to members, specifically for the Executive Club.

Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Alabaster said there are times customers are able to choose suitable fare to travel but are unsure whether to make a reservation and that’s where the Fare Lock service comes in to ensure that a customer’s selected flight does not sell out and that the price does not change while their travel plans are being finalized.