Air Niugini increases flights to Japan

AIR Niugini will start its second Japan service next month, says chief executive officer Simon Foo.
In preparation for that, the airline and Japanese travel agents and tour operators are continuing to create awareness in Japan, he said.
Japanese travel writers arrived in the country last month and toured Mt Hagen, Madang, Alotau and Rabaul to write feature stories promoting PNG in the Japanese market.
“Air Niugini is supporting the Government’s initiative to further develop and enhance tourism in the country,” Foo said.
“Therefore, the more awareness we create in the Japan market, the better it is for the airline and the country.”
Eight Japanese travel agents travelled to PNG and other Pacific Island countries which Air Niugini flies to.
They specialise in selling the Pacific and Australia in Japan.
“We have to agreed on certain airfare pricing with tour operators for tour packages as the second service allows maximum flexibility for Japanese operators to create package holidays of the most attractive duration to maximise tourism numbers,” Foo said.
Air Niugini is placing advertisement in the Japanese media, updating the airline’s website with promotions on Japan and creating awareness on the Japanese tours in Australia, Fiji and Solomon Island markets.
Air Niugini’s second service to Narita airport comes into effect on July 6. Flight PX 054 will be operating every Wednesday, departing Port Moresby at 2.10pm and arriving in Narita at 7.55pm (local time).
The return flight arrives in Port Moresby on Thursdays at 4.55am. Air Niugini currently operates a weekly service to Japan, departing every Saturday at 2.10pm.