Air Niugini resumes daily flights to military centres

AIR Niugini last Friday resumed services to centres where army units are based after suspending services the previous day.
The suspension of flights to Wewak (East Sepik), Lae (Morobe), Vanimo (West Sepik) and Kiunga (Western) took immediate effect on the orders of acting Minister for State Enterprises and Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah following last Thursday’s mutiny by rebel troops at Murray barracks in Port Moresby.
In a media statement, Air Niugini said flights had resumed to Lae, Vanimo and Kiunga last Friday. Flights to Wewak resumed on Saturday.
“Our valued customers are advised to call in at your nearest Air Niugini sales office, or its agents, to make alternate travel arrangements or revalidate your tickets free of charge,” Air Niugini said.
Two flights to Lae, three flights to Wewak and a flight each to Kiunga and Vanimo were disrupted during the suspension.
Special flights were made over the weekend and will continue today to cater for a backlog of passengers to and from the affected ports.
“Air Niugini regrets the inconvenience caused. The situation was beyond the airline’s control,” it said.
Last week’s suspension of flights was attributed to security uncertainties and government instructions.
Meanwhile, Airlines PNG, while admitting to being issued similar instructions to suspend all flights to the affected destinations last Friday, could not be reached to confirm if it had also resumed operations.
It was also not known if Travel Air Ltd, operator of the Mangi Lo Peles aircraft, was also affected.