Welcome aboard
By the time you read this issue of Paradise, it is more than likely that Christmas will be upon us. I will therefore use this opportunity to extend to you the season’s greetings and to look back on what has been a most challenging and “game changing” year for Air Niugini.
By any measure, 2015 has been a year of significant achievement for us.
The credit needs to be given to the airline’s employees – from management to senior captains, flight crew, ground operational staff such as engineers, and several hundred men and women who work with them to ensure our airline operates efficiently and safely and that you, our valued customers, get the best service from the moment you book until your final arrival.
I am very proud of our employees. They are our most precious assets. In the last year, or so, many have had to accept revised conditions of employment so that Air Niugini can remain viable and meet the opportunities that it has as a leading national and regional airline. I thank all our professional, administrative and support staff for contributing to a successful year, and helping to ensure the future will be even better for our national airline.
We have valued the continued and growing support of our passengers this year, our commercial clients, and our business partners and stakeholders. I believe we have rewarded that support and confidence with an excellent on-time departure and arrival performance, which is now the best in our 41-year history. We have also maintained our excellent safety record.
Air Niugini is wholly owned by the National Government. The board and management join with me in thanking the Prime Minister, the Minister for Public Enterprises and State Investments, and the National Government for the continued strong support Air Niugini has received during 2015, and the ongoing support and encouragement for our strategic development plan that will modernise our airline, secure its future, and improve its services.
We have also benefited from the visionary approach the National Government has taken to the re-development and upgrading of our airports. The impressive re-development of Jackson’s Airport is making passenger movement much more customer friendly and will contribute significantly to our goal of making Port Moresby the regional gateway from our Pacific neighbours with Asia and the World. The upgrading of domestic regional airports will also benefit our operations and enable us to expand services as demand grows.
Looking back on 2015, there are several achievements and changes that deserve special mention.
Firstly, the development of LinkPNG as a wholly owned subsidiary serving the special needs of distant and remote communities, has been remarkably successful. As a result of this, we are able to guarantee services to distant and more remote communities that otherwise might have been under threat. Where possible, we will extend services to other centres in the future.
Secondly, Air Nuigini has started a major re-fleeting program. The key component of this project will be the introduction of nine Fokker 70 jet aircraft – the first two of which are now in operation. These aircraft offer significant jet aircraft speed, distance and comfort advantages and will be used on our key domestic routes, as well as our growing profile in the Pacific region.
Thirdly, Air Niugini is well advanced on the establishment of Port Moresby as the regional “hub” for airlines and air services linking the South Pacific with South-East Asia and beyond. This will benefit the people of Papua New Guinea travelling within our region and beyond, and will strengthen our links with our neighbouring island nations, and with Northern Australia. Our links with Air Vanuatu and Solomon Airlines have been strengthened during 2015, and the foundations for significant future growth have been laid. Establishing Port Moresby as an efficient and reliable regional hub will bring significant economic benefits through greater tourism and business activity.
Finally, may I wish you, and your families, a very happy and safe Christmas.