PNG Air flights to WHP still suspended

NG Air flights into Western Highlands have been suspended over safety concerns, chief commercial officer Paul Abbot says.
Abbot told The National that PNG Air would only resume flights once risks were managed to an acceptable level.
The Kagamuga airport in Mt Hagen was reopened yesterday by the National Airport Corporation (NAC).
“We cancelled flights last week when it became apparent that the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft was becoming a serious concern. PNG Air operates more than 50 flights a week to Mt Hagen so it certainly had an impact on our operations. But safety was our first priority,” Abbot said.
“As of (yesterday) we are still not operating to Mt Hagen. While the airport has officially been re-opened, we will conduct our own risk assessment before we commence operations there to assure ourselves that all necessary steps have been taken to reduce any possible risk.
“The safety of customers and our employees is our number one priority so we will continue to review our operations and the environment in which we operate to ensure that we are not endangering them.
“Over the past two weeks we have ceased operations to Losuia and Mt Hagen and reviewed operations to Alotau based on safety concerns which have arisen.
“This is an ongoing part of our operation and a task we take very seriouNAC chief executive Richard Yopo told The National last week that Kagamuga airport was closed because of safety risks.