Air Niugini

“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:

Effective from 1^st April, Air Niugini will offer three flights a week between Port Moresby and Cairns.

Flight PX098 departs Port Moresby at 1700 on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays, arriving in Cairns at 1825. Return flights PX091 depart Cairns at 0700 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving Port Moresby at 0825.

“Air Niugini and International SOS continue to offer free PCR and rapid tests at the airport at time of departure, for those who choose to do their test at the airport prior to check-in,” stated the airline.

Air Niugini released a statement today to say the DPD replaces the earlier Passenger Travel Declaration, or ATD, that was required. The DPD is a mobile phone App and available for download.

According to Air Niugini, an initial one off entry of set-up information takes about 15 minutes. A passport and vaccination information is needed. Manual paper forms will be available at check-in if required.

Passengers flying into Australia, must complete a negative rapid test within 24 hours of scheduled departure. 

Catering on the Port Moresby-Hong Kong sector remains suspended due to Hong Kong Government restrictions, while other “normal” services such as Domestic catering, as well as all domestic Executive Club lounges and the lounge at Port Moresby International have already reopened.  

The Executive lounges in Australia, Singapore, Manila, and Hong Kong are still closed.

The airline stated that there is new business class catering on all domestic flights, and that it is progressing the rollout of upgraded business class catering on international services.

Both airlines issued media statements, apologizing to the traveling public of the flight disruptions.

Each has stated that the wet weather conditions have contributed to staff falling ill.

Both also state that they are doing everything they can to manage the situation without compromising safe operations.

PNG Air Customers with existing tickets will be accommodated on the next available flight and will be contacted by Call Centre with details of the flight changes.

This is now a requirement for travel to most countries, including Papua New Guinea. Exemption from vaccination for children is dependent on the requirements of their destination country.

Certificates valid for travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of COVID Vaccination (ICCV), the WHO yellow card, the Australian COVID-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries.

Flights into Kieta were suspended at the direction of the Regional Pandemic Controller for AROB since October 2021 due to increasing COVID-19 case numbers.

This direction, however, was revoked today (Thursday 13th January).

“In addition, the Regional Pandemic Controller for AROB has advised that, effective from today, COVID tests are no longer required for travellers to AROB, however other public health measures must be observed,” said the airline.