Airline makes changes to international travel requirements

THERE are additional changes to the requirements for international travel, effective yesterday, according to Air Niugini.
The airline, in a statement, said these changes would affect all passengers travelling to Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila and any other Air Niugini international destination.
“All passengers departing internationally will be required to be tested for the Covid-19 at the time of check-in,” the statement said.
“This is in addition to the requirement for the negative PCR test conducted within three days of travel.”
The airline said International SOS, a medical and security travel risk services company, had been contracted to conduct the testing at no cost to passengers and would be conducted at the car park next to the Jackson Airport’s international terminal (between the terminal and the plaza area).
“The test takes around 45 minutes to be completed so passengers need to arrive between two and four hours prior to their scheduled flight departure,” it said.
“Passengers who do not speak or read English or Pidgin are required to bring a translator with them for the testing.
“Air Niugini acknowledges there will be rare occasions where a passenger tests negative at the time of the initial PCR test (taken within three days of travel) but then tests positive at check-in.
“Due to restrictions, the passenger will be unable to travel if they test positive at check-in, but Air Niugini will automatically re-book the passengers travel for a future travel date, at no cost.
“Equally, for this reason, passengers checking out of hotels in Port Moresby should have a back-up plan just in case they test positive.
“Passengers are reminded that they must wear a mask inside all terminals and on all international flights.
“Failure to comply comes with significant penalties.”