Flights to Asia placed at risk

T OWNSVI L L E ’ S o n e - s t o p flights to Hong Kong could be scrapped unless travellers support the service more.

Air Niugini launched the one- stop flights to Hong Kong in May last year but says the service is not being very well patronised by Townsville air travellers.

Air Niugini regional sales manager Annemarie Rhodes said it was important the community supported the Townsville flights to Hong Kong.

“The message to the community: it you don’t support that route you could lose it,” she said.

“Any airline will only operate if it gets revenue out of it, otherwise it will send us broke.

“If the community can support the airline, we can maintain that service to Hong Kong.”

The news comes as Jetstar prepares to wrap up its direct flights from Townsville to Bali next month.

The airline has claimed it was not economically viable to continue the service.

Ms Rhodes said other Air Niugini routes from Townsville were performing well.

“The PNG flight loadings are averaging around the 50 to 80 per cent mark and improv- ing,” she said. “The Townsville- Manila flights are selling well within North Queensland, with the local community travelling regularly between the two centres.”

Ms Rhodes said the Townsville- Hong Kong service was operated via Port Moresby.

“Townsville to Hong Kong return via Port Moresby, which was introduced last year, is experiencing very limited sales so far,” she said.

“Why fly south ( to Brisbane) to fly north? We encourage the community to fly directly north via Port Moresby to Asia, ex- Townsville to Manila or Hong Kong.”

Ms Rhodes said the community seemed unaware that Air Niugini had services to many destinations available via Port Moresby.

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

“There’re also good through connections ( from Port Moresby) to other destinations beyond Port Moresby within Papua New Guinea – Rabaul, Madang, Kavieng and Lae and more,” she said.

“Those routes seem to be popular with the leisure market. The business travellers tend to stay in Port Moresby when they visit PNG.”

Air Niugini also has flights to Bali, Nadi, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Port Vila, Tokyo and Honiara.