Welcome aboard

The development of Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport as the regional hub for the Pacific island states, and beyond, will make a significant advance in early December when twice-weekly services between Port Moresby and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) commence.

Air Niugini has entered into a partnership with the Government of FSM to help meet the island nation’s need for more regular, affordable and suitable air services within the region and the wider world.

For the people of FSM, there will be a vast improvement in every aspect of the air services they need to connect with Australia, other Pacific nations, South-East Asia, Asia, and beyond. Travel times will be cut drastically, fares will be more affordable, and services will be more reliable.

The new service will also meet FSM’s domestic travel need as Air Niugini will be transporting passengers between Pohnpei and Chuuk.

Air Niugini was privileged to work with the FSM Government to assist with the transportation of delegates and other participants for the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Pohnpei.

I have every confidence the establishment of this service will benefit PNG as well as FSM with business development opportunities, and education and tourism opportunities opening up. As the FSM grows its tourism sector, international travellers who will pass through Port Moresby will be encouraged to include our unique tourist destinations in their holiday itineraries.

The development of Port Moresby as the major regional passenger air services hub has been made possible by two factors.

Firstly, the total redevelopment of the Jacksons airport facilities by the National Government has made passenger arrivals and departures, and transits, world class.

Air Niugini is the principal beneficiary of this redevelopment. Our challenge is to maximise the use of the airport. The regional hub approach affords us the best opportunity to do so.

Aligned with the airport upgrading, Air Niugini has been focusing on the second factor, which will ensure the maximum efficient use of the international airport – the right aircraft that align with the regional hub development.

Air Niugini has chosen the Fokker 70 as being the best suited to meet our mainline domestic routes and regional routes in the Pacific, including FSM.

By the end of this year, six Fokker 70s will have joined the Air Niugini fleet, and by the middle of next year the full complement of nine will be meeting our major domestic and regional needs. The planes are progressively being upgraded with business-class seats, Wi-Fi, USB ports and LED lighting. The further expansion of our regional services is being actively evaluated. Potential new services include Tarawa (Kiribati), Majuro (Marshall Islands), Jayapura (Indonesia) and Townsville (North Queensland). Wider international services will also expand to include China – with Shanghai as the first destination.

It is important to stress that the national economy will benefit from expanded regional and international services. More aircraft movements will benefit our tourism and hospitality sectors and deliver the Government a return on its significant airport investment.

And, importantly, Papua New Guineans who travel on our international services, and connect with domestic services, will do so with maximum comfort and efficiency.

Finally, as this is the last issue of Paradise before Christmas, the board and management of our national airline join with me in wishing you, and your families, the very best for a happy and safe Christmas, and a prosperous New Year.

If you are travelling over the holiday period, I urge you to take advantage of our online check-in facility.

And please remember the hundreds of Air Niugini employees – flight crew, engineers and ground staff – who will work over the holidays to ensure you and your families travel in comfort and safety.

Merry Christmas.