Airport runway to be inspected, flights resuming soon

INSPECTIONS on the Madang Airport runway is expected to be done today with regular flights likely to resume on Sunday, according to the National Airports Corporation (NAC).
NAC acting managing director and chief executive officer Rex Kiponge said the delay was due to continuous rain which stopped the sealing of certain sections.
Kiponge said Civil Aviation Safety Authority, NAC aerodrome safety officer and Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme officials would be in Madang today.
He said upon completion of the inspection and assessment, regular flights by Air Niugini and PNG Air would resume immediately.
Kiponge made the announcement during an update in Port Moresby yesterday alongside safety assurance and regulatory compliance executive manager John Kose.
Kiponge clarified that the airport was not completely closed as perceived by the public as twin otter planes were still using the airport.
“It is just the Dash 7, Dash 8 and Fokker 100 aircrafts that could not use the airport due to the progressive upgrade works,” he added.
Kiponge said work was initially planned to be completed on Tuesday however the contractors’ progress was hampered due to heavy rain.
After the opening of regular flights, further extension would continue on the runway.
“The National Airports Corporation sincerely apologises to the public and business community in Madang province for this inconvenience and calls for understanding and patience as deferrals caused by the weather is beyond our control,” Kiponge said.