Micronesia on the radar
Air Niugini is introducing flights to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) during September, coinciding with a meeting of Pacific leaders at the South Pacific Forum.
Air Niugini chief executive officer Simon Foo says there will initially be three special flights to Chuuk and Pohnpei, two of the four states in FSM. ( The other states are Yap and Kosrae).
“We will (also) commence flying test tourism flights and following the evaluation of results, Air Niugini plans to inaugurate twice-weekly regular scheduled flights from Port Moresby to Chuuk and Pohnpei, operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
“These flights will enable passengers between the Pacific, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines and FSM to connect through Port Moresby, saving them considerable time and opening the possibility of stop-over tourism within PNG,” he says.
“The direct PNG to FSM flights will also foster closer trade links between industries, including fishing and tourism.”
FSM is in the Pacific, northeast of PNG. It is one of the most remote and beautiful tourism spots in the world. It is made up of more than 600 islands, with Chuuk and Pohnpei the two most-populated states. ■