Carrier elevates Asia link

A REJIG of Air Niugini schedules to create a one- stop connection from Townsville to Hong Kong is being heralded as an important step to opening up more Asian connections.

Air Niugini’s service from Townsville to Port Moresby will now operate earlier, departing Townsville on Mondays at 12.10pm and arriving in Port Moresby at 2pm, allowing passengers to catch a connecting flight to Hong Kong at 3pm.

The retimed service will take effect from May 29.

Mayor Jenny Hill said residents flying to Hong Kong would save around five hours of transit time by flying directly out of Townsville.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said the move could open up more international destinations.

“We’re really looking at Port Moresby as a hub through Asia,” she said.

Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill said the change was an example of the opportunities afforded to Townsville by the Air Niugini flights.

Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo said Air Niugini flew to 14 international destinations in Asia, Australia and the Pacific from Port Moresby.

The retimed connection will enable North Queensland residents to travel to Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila, Bali and Japan.

“We are looking at a direct service to Shanghai, China, towards the end of this year, something the business community in North Queensland and tourists may be keen to take advantage of,” Mr Foo said.

The Townsville- Port Moresby service began in March and represents the addition of 17,000 seats between the two destinations each year.