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By JASON SOM KAUT
FREIGHT services have been hardest hit by the closure of third level
airline, Airlink and now the national flag carrier Air Niugini.
Major air freight companies yesterday claimed they were not moving cargo
to destinations in PNG on schedule because of the problems in the
airline industry.
These sentiments were shared by two of the major air freighting
companies TNT Air Cargo and DHL, whose domestic services have also been
affected. Another company also hard hit is Post PNG, which relies on Air
Niugini for its express mail services (EMS).
TNT general manger Doug Maskelyne said the air freighting service had
been unacceptable since the cancellation of Airlink’s operations earlier
this year.
“Combined issues including the closure of Airlink, reduction of Airlines
PNG operations and increase in cargo movement due to the national
elections have really affected us,” Mr Maskelyne said.
He said because of unreliable Air Niugini schedule, they had to continue
chartering third level airline twice a week to service the major centres
of Port Moresby and Lae, while Kavieng, Vanimo, Hoskins and Manus were
the most affected with freight overdue for movement.
“Where possible, we are trying not to use Air Niugini but some places,
we hav e no option like Vanimo,” he said.
The company moves about 5,000 tonnes per day.
“There seems to be no immediate solution but we hope the engagement of a
Boeing 757 would allow Air Niugini to release Fokker100 aircraft back to
at least maintain the domestic schedule,” Mr Maskelyne said.
DHL operations manager Brad Ashweld said the company had its own plane
to use but was also utilising third level airlines.
It uses Airlines PNG services on Mondays, and Wednesdays and its own
plane on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“We have other options to move freight but our domestic operations have
also been affected,” Mr Ashweld said.
Post PNG Momase regional manager Ben Davies said they had also been
affected with a ‘doubling in off-loads’.
“Our express mail service (EMS) is a same-day service but we are unable
to deliver the service because of unreliable air service,” Mr Davies
said.
He said sea and trucking options were available but they were not as
effective and efficient.
Business houses including Hornibrooks NGI Ltd and InterOil had also
recently expressed concerns at the unacceptable level of service.
Hornibrooks company director Sherron Lewis said she had to wait for
hours to return to Lae that saw her missing important appointments after
the midday flight was cancelled.
 
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