Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Tourism Professionals
Air Niugini's low-cost airline subsidiary named Link PNG commences operations on 1 November 2014 to coincide with Air Niugini’s 41 years of operation. Air Niugini began operations on 1 November 1973.
Air Niugini’s Board Chairman, Sir Frederick Reiher, made the announcement during a meeting between the airline management and the union in Port Moresby on 15 October 2014.
He said the establishment of a low-cost airline is part of Air Niugini’s restructure into the future and will open a new era in domestic air travel for Papua New Guineans.
Sir Fred said Link PNG's low-cost model aims to provide reliable and safe flight services within Papua New Guinea. The carrier will also serve PNG routes on a community service (CSO) obligation, ensuring that not only are remote and less profitable services maintained, but progressively expanded to meet the growing transport needs of Papua New Guinea.
He said “Link PNG will be a smarter, less “frills” and low cost carrier that will principally service routes to provincial and district centres which are currently being operated by the Dash 8 Classic fleet”.
“Its establishment will ensure that rather than air services being reduced by the ownership restructure of Air Niugini Limited and the injection of private sector capital – as has occurred in other countries in the region – they will actually be guaranteed and increased.”
The most important aspect of the establishment of Link PNG is that it will guarantee regular, reliable, safe and affordable services to the more remote parts of the nations where patronage is less than the main domestic routes, but just as important for the travelling public.
Link PNG will commence operations as a separate company on 1 November 2014 under its own Board and Management. Mr Daniel Wanma is the Chief Executive Officer. His senior management team has been selected and they have all satisfied the PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority (PNGCASA) requirements as “fit and proper” persons – a mandatory regulatory requirement. Link PNG will operate from its own premises located alongside the Cargo premises.
All these personnel, including the technical crew and other employees, will be seconded as Air Niugini employees on an agreed arrangement to work under Link PNG initially under probation until their permanent positions in Link PNG are confirmed.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Mr Simon Foo said Air Niugini has been operating and running its business the way it has been for the last 40 years with little change when business practices and circumstances, economic climate and technology have changed dramatically in the regional and worldwide airline industry.
“ This move is gearing Air Niugini to engaging in smarter business practices in the delivery of its services, and in a cost effective manner. It is imperative that Air Niugini embraces new and modern ways and means of delivering its services. ”Mr Foo said.
Cost-effective service is true for Air Niugini as it is manifested in the national flag carrier's most recent officially endorsed e-ticketing agreement with Qatar Airways. Under the agreement, passengers can connect to Qatar Airways' destinations in the Middle East and Africa by purchasing Air Niugini e-tickets for travel with Qatar Airways via Air Niugini's hubs Singapore and Hong Kong to Doha.
Air Niugini's latest news is certainly bringing excellent tidings to ITB Asia 2014 exhibitor Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority and tourists to Papua New Guinea.
/ KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Tourism Professionals
Air Niugini's low-cost airline subsidiary named Link PNG commences operations on 1 November 2014 to coincide with Air Niugini’s 41 years of operation. Air Niugini began operations on 1 November 1973.
Air Niugini’s Board Chairman, Sir Frederick Reiher, made the announcement during a meeting between the airline management and the union in Port Moresby on 15 October 2014.
He said the establishment of a low-cost airline is part of Air Niugini’s restructure into the future and will open a new era in domestic air travel for Papua New Guineans.
Sir Fred said Link PNG's low-cost model aims to provide reliable and safe flight services within Papua New Guinea. The carrier will also serve PNG routes on a community service (CSO) obligation, ensuring that not only are remote and less profitable services maintained, but progressively expanded to meet the growing transport needs of Papua New Guinea.
He said “Link PNG will be a smarter, less “frills” and low cost carrier that will principally service routes to provincial and district centres which are currently being operated by the Dash 8 Classic fleet”.
“Its establishment will ensure that rather than air services being reduced by the ownership restructure of Air Niugini Limited and the injection of private sector capital – as has occurred in other countries in the region – they will actually be guaranteed and increased.”
The most important aspect of the establishment of Link PNG is that it will guarantee regular, reliable, safe and affordable services to the more remote parts of the nations where patronage is less than the main domestic routes, but just as important for the travelling public.
Link PNG will commence operations as a separate company on 1 November 2014 under its own Board and Management. Mr Daniel Wanma is the Chief Executive Officer. His senior management team has been selected and they have all satisfied the PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority (PNGCASA) requirements as “fit and proper” persons – a mandatory regulatory requirement. Link PNG will operate from its own premises located alongside the Cargo premises.
All these personnel, including the technical crew and other employees, will be seconded as Air Niugini employees on an agreed arrangement to work under Link PNG initially under probation until their permanent positions in Link PNG are confirmed.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Mr Simon Foo said Air Niugini has been operating and running its business the way it has been for the last 40 years with little change when business practices and circumstances, economic climate and technology have changed dramatically in the regional and worldwide airline industry.
“ This move is gearing Air Niugini to engaging in smarter business practices in the delivery of its services, and in a cost effective manner. It is imperative that Air Niugini embraces new and modern ways and means of delivering its services. ”Mr Foo said.
Cost-effective service is true for Air Niugini as it is manifested in the national flag carrier's most recent officially endorsed e-ticketing agreement with Qatar Airways. Under the agreement, passengers can connect to Qatar Airways' destinations in the Middle East and Africa by purchasing Air Niugini e-tickets for travel with Qatar Airways via Air Niugini's hubs Singapore and Hong Kong to Doha.
Air Niugini's latest news is certainly bringing excellent tidings to ITB Asia 2014 exhibitor Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority and tourists to Papua New Guinea.
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