PNG Air

Air Niugini CEO, Bruce Alabaster, assured that PNG Air will remain a separate corporate entity, maintain its own brand, and that there will not be any job losses.

Alabaster explained these following misconceptions that the proposal was a merger.

Air Niugini CEO, Bruce Alabaster, says the proposal to purchase 40% of NASFUNDs shareholding in PNG Air is just that, and there was no merger.

General Manager Alex Kia said: “It is absolutely our intent that PNG shall continue to have two separate airlines, PNG Air and Air Niugini, and that there will continue to be a strong, competitive domestic market with options for travelers.”

Link PNG intends that this will be achieved by means of a joint operating agreement between the airlines, which will ensure PNG Air continues to service its customers under its existing brand and at its own prices. 

“It will be a terrible move which will be extremely detrimental to the travelling public of Papua New Guinea as there will be no competition,” said the airline.

“In a monopoly, price of airfares will rise, efficiency will decrease and Link PNG, through its holding company Air Niugini, will have absolute power to dictate to the travelling public how, when and where they will travel in the future.  

Nasfund’s Board has approved the sale of its shares in PNG Air to Link PNG, subject to Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) and other required approvals.

Link PNG aims to strengthen the air network across PNG while ensuring the viability of the country’s second biggest airline at a time when airlines around the world are struggling to survive due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The same offer will be extended to all of PNG Air’s shareholders.

PNG Air flight CG1744 made a grand entrance into Buka at 1100hrs; all passengers obtained clearance by AROB SoE Controller prior to travelling.

“Passengers who choose to travel to Buka must contact the AROB SoE Controller directly by emailing arobcovid19occ@gmail.com and present written approval at time of purchasing a ticket,” said PNG Air.

“Upon arrival, all passengers will undertake mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Those intending to travel, holding onto a valid ticket and have queries are encouraged to visit a PNG Air sales office or an agent to be served.

Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Nancy Nakikus said "PNG Air is looking forward to operate flights and continue to connect people".

"We are looking forward to getting normalcy back into PNG and giving our people a quality service they deserve,"

PNG Air activated their Crisis Management Team (CMT) back in January to deal with risks of the COVID-19, and since then have been working closely with key stakeholders such as the National Airports Corporation and the World Health Organisation, and taking an active role in supporting the government task force.

“As a primarily domestic airline, we have put a huge array of measures in place to protect the health of both our passengers and staff,” stated PNG Air.

“The National Airports Corporation will be closing the airport to carry out maintenance work on the runway. During this time PNG Air will operate to Mt Hagen as an alternative,” stated the airline.

“PNG Air apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and we appreciate your full understanding as we work together to better our ports.”

Following PNG Air’s codeshare launch on Virgin Australia flights between Port Moresby and Brisbane, PNG Air are now ready to commence the second stage enabling their passengers to travel onward to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, in addition to Brisbane.

This has been made possible through a fresh codeshare agreement between Virgin Australia Airlines and PNG Air.

This International Air Services Commission determination is valid for five years from September 12, 2018.