Air Niugini

Chief Executive Officers of Air Niugini, Air Vanuatu and Solomon Airlines signed the agreements which now gives Air Niugini the right as the operating carrier on the POM/Honiara, Honiara/Vanuatu, Vanuatu/Honiara and Honiara/POM routes while the other two airlines as the marketing carrier.

The code-share agreements are effective immediately.

 IOSA is an international evaluation system designed to assess the operational and control systems of an airline, to ensure the safety and quality of the airline.

Air Niugini is the only IATA IOSA certified PNG airline operating in the country.

Chief executive officer  Simon Foo shared the certificate with Civil Aviation Safety Authority-PNG, Director  Wilson Sagati  in Port Moresby today(Friday 20^th Nov).

Link PNG operates up to 14 charter services for Exxon Mobil each week between Port Moresby and Komo in Hela Province. 

Additionally, it operates several transit services via Moro in Southern Highlands each week.

Link PNG’s general manager  Daniel Wanma in welcoming the first flight on Monday 02^nd November said Link PNG was privileged to offer Exxon Mobil PNG Limited its services and assured them of the airline’s highest safety standards.

The agreement duration is for two years.

In a statement, ICCC Commissioner Paulus Ain said; “while the ICCC recognizes that the free sale arrangement may not promote vigorous competition amongst the parties in terms of airfares and other related in-flight products and services, the ICCC also recognizes that with the code-share, travellers will now have a choice.

“The two carriers will be competing to sell tickets under their respective codes as compared to the situation without the code-share where only one carrier would operate on the route and market the tickets.

It’s a way of bringing Air Niugini to other parts of Papua New Guinea instead of having all anniversary celebrations centred around Port Moresby.

Air Niugini chief executive cfficer Simon Foo said the open day activities will be staged at Hagen Park Secondary School. The day is open to the general public, starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm.

Chief Executive Officer, Simon Foo said the new schedule is customized to keep up with the airline’s customer demands and expectations.

He said “ Our schedule allows for convenient connections to Air Niugini’s domestic network as well as Australia, Pacific Islands and Asia via Port Moresby.”

Chairman of Air Niugini Sir Frederick Reiher revealed this when officially opening the 62^nd Association of South Pacific Airlines(ASPA) annual conference in Kokopo, East New Britain last Wednesday.

Sir Frederick said with the support of the Prime Minister and the National Government,  Air Niugini’s strategy was consistent to ensure PNG strengthened and broadened its leadership role in the region.

Mr Foo took over from Air Calin’s CEO, Didier Taperro from New Caledonia who had held that position for six years.

Foo is not new to ASPA as he has been involved in the initial discussions representing Air Niugini with other Pacific Island airline executives leading towards the formation of ASPA in Suva, Fiji in 1979. ASPA is comprised of chief executive officers, managing directors and senior representatives from all airlines in the South Pacific.

Foo has been appointed as the new chairman of the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA) following a unanimous decision reached at the 33^rd annual general meeting(AGM) held in Kokopo, East New Britain last week

Sir Frederick said Foo brought to the leadership of ASPA over 40 years of experience in the airline industry and the tourism sector.

“At a very challenging time of the airline industry, you have chosen well.  Before his appointment as CEO of Air Niugini , Simon had served over 9 consecutive years as board director and as deputy chairman.

Most were Papua New Guineans married to Vanuatu and who now reside in Port Vila.

Helen Franklin and her husband Luke were some of those to welcome the flight.

They are Missionaries and have been serving in Port Vila for a while now.

Mrs Franklin could not hold back her tears in an interview with PNG Loop.

She said as soon as the plane touched down, she was so excited because it brought the presence of PNG closer to them.

She thanked Air Niugini for allowing such partnership between the people of Vanuata and PNG.