I have had it confirmed that 19 Nationals called in sick.
PX's take on it
Air Niugini reassures passengers | Loop PNG
And from an extremely reliable source:
Dear All,
Please be advised of the following CANCELLATIONS for today (14JULY2016) operations due aircraft unserviceability and tech crew shortage.
DASH 8 FLEET
PX856/857 POM-GUR-POM
PX7990/PX7991 POM-WBM-POM [RESCHEDULED SVC FROM YESTERDAY]
PX860/861 POM-MDU-POM
PX7800/7801 POM-DAU-POM [RESCHEDULED SVC FROM YESTERDAY]
PX964/965 POM-GKA-POM
FOKKER FLEET
PX7182/7183 POM-HGU-POM [EXTRA SERVICE]
PX202/209 POM-HKN-RAB-HKN-LAE-POM
PX154/155 POM-GUR-POM
PX250/253 POM-BUA-RAB-POM
PX102/103 POM-LAE-POM
PX104/105 POM-LAE-POM
PX4290/4243/4241 POM-MAS-HKN-MAS-POM
PX244 POM-HKN O/NIGHT
PX186/7 POM-HGU-POM
BOEING FLEET
PX290/291 POM-MAS-POM
PX084/085 POM-HIR-NAN-HIR-POM
Also note status of the following afternoon departures:
PX5290: NIL F100 F/O
PX274: NIL F100 F/O
PX098: NIL F100 F/O
All stations please advise passengers accordingly and also take note that at this time there is no definitive assurance regarding aircraft and crew availability tomorrow as well.