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Aviation crisis looms
HEALTH and Bougainville Affairs Minister Sir Peter Barter has warned of an aviation crisis following the abrupt cancellation of Airlink and Airlines PNG flights to numerous airports nationwide.
Government-owned Air Niugini also came under criticism, the Madang Regional MP questioning the national airline’s decision to abruptly change its March-October 2007 flight schedule.
“The Air Niugini schedule as downloaded off their website No. 104 effective Sun Mar 29 – Sat Oct 27, 2007 flight PX960 Madang-Port Moresby departing at 7.25am.
“Without any prior notification, this schedule has been replaced showing the flight now leaves at 11.00am.
“You can imagine the frustration of passengers including myself that rose at 4am to catch the flight only to be told it no longer operates.
“You can also imagine the embarrassment of the Air Niugini staff having to explain the change to angry passengers who in good faith had purchased tickets for such a flight,” Sir Peter said in a statement.
But Air Niugini CEO Wasantha Kuma-rasiri said the airline had to change its current schedule as their F28-4000 aircraft fleet need to be retired by June 30, consequently disrupting normal services to destinations such as Madang.
And he maintained the airline still had a 7.15am Madang-Port Moresby service which was available on all days except Tuesday and Thursday.
“Air Niugini is currently investigating much earlier departure on Tuesday and Thursday from POM for the Port Moresby-Madang-Lae service, to enable Madang passengers to get a connection via Lae,” Mr Kumarasiri said.
On the grounding of third-level airline Airlink and the decision by Airlines PNG to abandon small airports, Sir Peter said it was creating problems for rural commuters.
“All these problems result in the people in most need of air transport are unable to travel, or forced to charter a very limited number of airplanes now operating in PNG.
“Cargo is building up in Port Moresby, urgent medical supplies are not reaching rural areas, and this is compounded by more airstrips closing due to lack of services and maintenance funds,” he said.
Sir Peter said failure by the Government to resolve the issue could result in economic and social disruption in the country.
