A message from Air Niugini’s chairman
Inthis issue of Paradise, Air Niugini is proud to highlight the wonderful achievements of the SP PNG Hunters during the 2017 Intrust Cup – culminating in the Hunters winning the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) premiership for the first time.
Air Niugini is the official airline carrier for the Hunters, and a major sponsor of the team and the Papua New Guinea Rugby League (PNGRL).
The board, management and staff of Air Niugini value our association with the Hunters, and rugby league, our national sport. It forms a key part of our extensive sponsorship program for sport, and community and charitable organisations, across the nation.
Every time the Hunters travel to Queensland to compete in the Intrust Cup, they travel with Air Niugini – to Brisbane and Cairns, and now Townsville.
Our ground and in-flight team regularly comment how much they enjoy meeting the travel needs of the Hunters – and of course transporting the team back to Port Moresby with the Intrust Cup recently.
They never complain – even when they occasionally are beaten – and take great care to greet fellow passengers, sign autographs, and take part in ‘selfie’ photos with fans.
As the prime minister and other leaders have commented, the Hunters are a source of great pride, not just for rugby league, but also for all the people of PNG.
They are also outstanding ambassadors for PNG in Queensland, and throughout the rugby league world.
In the four years the Hunters have participated in the Intrust Cup, the team has been highly competitive, and has established a substantial fan base in Queensland.
Now that it has won the premiership, the fan base in Queensland will grow, and it will also see the team’s support within PNG expand – if that is possible!
When the Hunters defend the premiership in 2018, Air Niugini, as a major sponsor, will be working with the PNG Rugby League to promote the team’s home-and-away matches. This will include air travel and accommodation packages.
At the time of writing, the next important period in the 2017 rugby league season for PNG is upon us.
The Kumuls national squad to compete in the World Cup has been chosen – and it includes many of the premiership-winning Hunters team.
Air Niugini is privileged to be the official carrier for the Kumuls, and we also support our national team through our sponsorship of the PNG Rugby League.
We wish the Kumuls well – and hope the team will build on the wonderful success of the Hunters.
The assurance I give all our passengers, and the teams and organisations we are pleased to sponsor, is that our support will continue in the future as part of our commitment to the nation and people we serve as the national flag carrier.
I am sure you will enjoy the special cover and the pictorial coverage Paradise is giving the Hunters – and I thank the Queensland Rugby League for its co-operation that has enabled us to do so. This will be the last issue of our in-flight magazine before Christmas. It is hard to believe that it is 12 months since I last penned Christmas greetings to you, our valued passengers, to our commercial partners, and to all our employees.
The year has been a very busy and challenging one for Air Niugini. I am proud of the progress we have made, including the introduction of the Fokker 70 aircraft into our fleet, new services to the Federated States of Mirconesia and Townsville, and the implementation of the Sabre Airline Solution passenger service system, which significantly upgrades our online services for passengers.
The progress we have achieved would not have been possible without the loyalty, enthusiasm and commitment of all our employees – from our captains and first officers, to our cabin crew, and all our ground staff.
The board, our chief executive officer Simon Foo, his management team, and all the staff of Air Niugini wish you, and your families, a happy and safe Christmas.