Air Niugini

“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.

“This solution, aimed at ensuring your queries are addressed in real time, went live on Monday 02nd May,” said the airline.

“Customer queries can now reach Air Niugini through your preferred communication channel such as Facebook Messenger, Twitter Direct Messaging, Web Feedback forms as well as through Air Niugini’s Customer Service email address csc@airniugini.com.pg

Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Alabaster, said the airline suffered this loss in the last two years.

“So we’ve managed that through cost control, et cetera, and we were profitable last year,” he stated during a recent visit to Lae.

“We were probably one of the very, very few airlines who were profitable last year.

“We’re expecting a better profit this year but right through that period, we’d have to pay all our national staff every payday; all their superannuation, et cetera, is absolutely up-to-date.

Singapore also does not require pre-departure testing for passengers transiting through Singapore onto flights to other international destinations. 

However, ANG said: “Should your final destination require a pre-departure test, evidence of this will need to be shown at check-in.

In a statement, Air Niugini said all passengers should proceed directly to the departure check in through the main terminal entrance.

“If travelling to Singapore, Hong Kong or Manila, or transiting to a country that requires a negative certificate, you must bring the certificate to the airport with you.”

The certificate must be issued by a doctor and include at least the following information: