PORT MORESBY (THE NATIONAL) — Acting chief executive officer of Air Niugini Gary Seddon has told the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, that the airline planned to strengthen its position as a regional airline.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Air Niugini to participate in an invaluable initiative connecting people across the Pacific,” he said.
“We are honoured to have had the chance to share Air Niugini’s future plans with the President and his delegation.
“This will further be underpinned by Air Niugini’s fleet replacement programme.”
The two met in Port Moresby last weekend to discuss Air Niugini flights to Palau, and agreed to promote the sector, build interest and steadily grow passenger volume.
They also agreed that connecting the Pacific Islands to drive trade and tourism would provide the airline an opportunity to strengthen its position as a regional airline.
It will support the right or privilege of operating scheduled international air services via the home state of the carrier to move traffic between the two states.
The sector between PNG and Palau is supported by the Australian Government to promote regional connectivity.
The Air Niugini PNG-Palau flights began in February with weekly flights operating every Tuesday from Brisbane via Port Moresby and Koror (Palau).
Whipps was in Port Moresby for the India-Pacific Islands Cooperation Forum…. PACNEWS