Kagamuga Airport

Air Niugini resumes jet services to Kagamuga

Jet operations to Mount Hagen were suspended in late September to allow the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to carry out urgent maintenance works on the airport runway.

During the period of the runway repairs, all Air Niugini flights to Hagen were downgraded to Dash 8 operations.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gary Seddon said: “Mount Hagen is the major airport serving the Highlands region and is of vital importance to the economy and community.

Airport runway repairs progressing

NAC states, “The repair works were undertaken recently after we identified defects on a section of the runway. We anticipate that these works, which commenced on October 02nd, 2023, should take up to eight weeks to complete subject to prevailing weather conditions.”

This maintenance and repair work has caused the temporary downgrade of flights into Mount Hagen from Fokker 100 aircraft to Q400 or similar aircraft. 

Fokker Jet Services to Mt Hagen resume

Runway maintenance at Kagamuga has been completed by the National Airports Corporation (NAC).

Since the commencement of work on the critical section of the airport on the 8th of March, Air Niugini has maintained air services to Mount Hagen using smaller Dash-8 aircraft, with passenger numbers restricted to as few as 23 at times because of the shortened runway.

Air Niugini Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gary Seddon, said the last six weeks of restricted operations has been inconvenient for both customers, business houses around Mount Hagen, and the airline.

Flights Into Hagen Resume

Western Highland Election Operation Commander, Superintendent John Sagom confirmed that all flights in and out of Kagamuga airport have resumed and back to normal, while security forces continue to maintain presence around the airport and Mt Hagen town areas.

He said, “Investigation into the oil spill incident commenced yesterday morning. We have identified some persons of interest on our radar and our investigators are monitoring them closely.”

AIC Explains Engine Fire Warning In Final Report

The aircraft was initiating the turn onto left base at the Kagamuga airport in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands when the engine fire warning was activated. The event occurred on December 23, 2020.

Acting Chief Commissioner Captain Aria Bouraga said the final incident report has been published as per the Civil Aviation Act 2000 (As Amended) and pursuant to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Capt. Bouraga stated that on the day, the crew observed the engine fire warning and alarm. It was an undue alarm.

Kagamuga Airport Lighting System Installed

The new system was installed and commissioned recently under Phase 1 of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP).

The new Airfield Ground LED Lighting System is compliant with ICAO requirements and standards and comprises;

New baggage x-ray machine for Kagamuga

Mt Hagen airport continues to boost PNG’s economic growth, opening up domestic and international routes into the Highlands region. The new x-ray machine will assist in streamlining the movement of passengers through the airport while, importantly, increasing the capability of the PNG Customs Services (PNGCS) to quickly detect, deter and disrupt unlawful and restricted goods while increasing revenue collection at the border.

Issue of Hagen RO goes to high court

While this matter was filed on May 24 waiting to go before court, other candidates and their supporters took issues into their own hands on Wednesday and disrupted flights into the Kagamuga airport by sitting and protesting on the tarmac.

Air Niugini this morning resumed flights into Mt Hagen after Police managed to get the supporters out.

James Yoka Ekip and Simon Sanagke filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, and today asked the court through their lawyer to stay the decision of the National Court, dated 4 May, which refused an application they had earlier filed.    

Polye skipped Parlt session to welcome world evangelist

Batchelor and his wife, with their delegation, touched down yesterday in a chartered plane to a red-carpet treatment by the church leaders and Opposition Leader Don Polye. 

Over 60,000 people braved the downpour to take a glimpse of the Batchelors, Polye and church leaders at Hatti community in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.

They departed the airport along a corridor made of people with the church faithfuls waving, singing and clapping.