Airline extends services to NGI

THE people of New Guineas Islands have welcomed Airlines PNG and pledged their support to ensure the company’s growth in the region. 
The airline made its inaugural flights to Hoskins, West New Britain, and Tokua, East New Britain, on Tuesday.
Students from Kalu Primary School waited with leis as others, dressed in traditional attire, danced to welcome the airline’s executives and passengers to West New Britain.
As the aircraft was hosed down at Tokua, dancers put on a perfor­mance to welcome the airline’s services to East New Britain.
Speaking at a reception to introduce the airline’s services to the region in Kokopo, East New Britain Deputy Governor Boniface Setavo said it was an exciting time for the New Guinea Islands and the company to work together.
Setavo commended the airline for the confidence it had for the region.
“We are grateful for the confidence in the region. We will ensure that the environment is conducive for both parties,” Setavo said.
West New Britain provincial administrator Stephen Raphael thanked the airline for extending its services to his people.
Raphael urged the company to look at servicing some of the remote parts of West New Britain.
He appealed to the people to take care of the company’s facilities as it was providing an alternative service.
Namatanai MP Byron Chan showed his support for the company by attending a meeting with the airline’s executives, East New Britain provincial government officers and Raphael on Tuesday evening.
Airlines PNG chief commercial officer Simon Woolcott said the company was excited about bringing services into the region.
Woolcott said: “We have plans for the future and New Guinea Islands is a part of our future. 
“We are here to stay and look forward to a great relationship with the people of the region.”  
There will be four flights out of Lae to the two provinces every week.