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BUSINESS difficulties had forced third
level airline Airlink to shut down, owner Mal Smith-Kela said yesterday.
But Mr Smith-Kela, who yesterday retained his Eastern Highlands Regional
seat, refused to give details of the problems the airline was facing,
saying politics was on his mind as the horse trading to form government
picks up intensity.
There are difficulties facing the company, and the management had to
make a decision in the best interest of the company, he told The
National when approached in Goroka.
A visit to the Airlink office at Madang airport by The National revealed
the place bare with skeleton staff manning the premises.
Guard Dog Security personnel were guarding the head office premises. On
the tarmac in front of Airlink terminal were three of the third level
airline’s planes sitting idle. The airline’s management was unavailable
for comments yesterday.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Sir Peter Barter has described the closure of
Airlink as sad and disappointing.
In a statement, Sir Peter said the closure would affect the transport of
people and cargo, including vital medical supplies.
The outgoing Madang MP said he was disappointed in the airline closing
down without any form of notification, which would provide an
opportunity for other airlines and charter operators to see how they
could fill the vacuum left.
“Obviously this will affect the tourism industries that have used the
services of Airlink in their areas of operation,” Sir Peter said.
He said the closure of the company would harm the Madang economy, with
people losing jobs.
Sir Peter said he understood the company was going into liquidation, and
hoped that another airline would quickly take over the air services and
staff that are being retrenched.
 
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