News Thursday 13th March, 2008
Shortage of pilots irks ANG
AIR Niugini is being hit by a shortage of pilots to fly its increasing fleet of aircraft, the national airline revealed yesterday.
A Port Moresby-wide flu outbreak also forced flight cancellations after pilots fell sick when they caught the viral infection.
Responding to criticisms of its operations within the aviation industry, Air Niugini CEO Wasantha Kumarasiri said the airline was not spared from the problems being created by the worldwide shortage of pilots.
“Currently, there is a worldwide shortage of pilots in the vicinity of 2000 or more, further, Air Niugini has faced increased competition from the other airlines in the region on recruitment and retention of pilots,” he added.
The CEO is pinning his hopes on new salary levels offered by the airline to prospecting pilots towards the end of last year, which he says has the potential to attract new pilots as well as ensure those currently employed stay on the job.
Meanwhile, Mr Kumarasiri has blamed a flu outbreak in Port Moresby for the flight cancellations experienced last weekend, which he said resulted in a number of pilots falling sick and being unable to fly.
He added that despite the problems, the airline will announce a number of new initiatives that will enable it to tackle the problems currently being faced by the traveling public.
Last year was a record year for the airline with Air Niugini experiencing a record passenger growth with the total number uplifted to December 2007 hovering close to the 1 million mark.
The airline has also upgraded 70 per cent of its fleet with Mr Kumarasiri assuring the traveling public that the board and management will continue to work hard to achieve beneficial outcomes.