New flights link Japan, Micronesia, PNG
10
It cements Air Niugini’s position as a carrier of choice connecting Asia with the Pacific Island nations.
Air Niugini will start direct air services between Narita, Japan and Chuuk, in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), from September 1. The air services agreement to formalize the arrangement was signed between the prime ministers of Japan, FSM and Papua New Guinea during the Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Japan in May.
The agreement gives Air Niugini the authority to carry passengers between Narita and Chuuk on the way to and from Port Moresby.
Air Niugini is now able to operate from Narita to Chuuk twice weekly. The existing weekly scheduled service Port Moresby/ Chuuk/ Pohnpei also remains, but from September 1 operates on Thursdays and will return on Fridays.
Air Niugini’s acting chief executive officer, Tahawar Durrani, says that since the weekly Port Moresby/Chuuk/ Pohnpei service was introduced 18 months ago, there has been an increase in Japanese and Australian tourists, including divers, as well as business travellers.
He says that a market analysis confirmed that further growth on the Japan route could be achieved by including a stopover at FSM.
The expansion to include Japan is an opportunity for PNG and FSM to be marketed to divers and other visitors, not only from Japan but also from North America and Europe.
It cements Air Niugini’s position as a carrier of choice connecting Asia with the Pacific Island nations.
“Together with the existing Pohnpei/Chuuk/ Port Moresby service, we will continue to provide convenient connections through Port Moresby for business and tourist travellers to various Air Niugini destinations in Papua New Guinea, South-East Asia, the Pacific Islands and Australia, further enhancing Port Moresby as a gateway hub in the region,” Durrani says.
“There is a huge tourism potential to PNG, FSM and the Pacific. The Japan/ PNG route has been operating twice weekly for some time, and by combining two great Pacific destinations, and working closely with the business communities and the tourism sector in PNG, FSM and Japan, we are hopeful this initiative will create the platform for services to be further expanded.”
The FSM president, Peter Christian, acknowledged Air Niugini and the government of PNG for providing the needed airline service between FSM and PNG and has assured his government’s continued support.
“The reception in FSM has been very positive since Air Niugini started services last year,” he says. “It has made travel easier for tourists, divers, fishermen and also the local people to travel between Chuuk and Pohnpei, as well as FSM and other parts of Asia, Australia and the Pacific via Port Moresby. We look forward to this direct Japan flight.” ■