Aviation gets K181mil

 THE National Executive Council has approved additional funding of US$75.3 million (K181.88 million) for PNG Air Services’ modernisation programme.

Acting Prime Minister Leo Dion said yesterday that NEC had endorsed the additional funding for the programme’s implementation. 

The total cost of the programme is US$95.3 million (K230.2 million). 

Dion said the airline industry demanded PNGASL to provide a much better and more efficient level of service that met current international standards and one that helped them reduce their operational costs.

“A fully automated air traffic management service using satellite-based technology will definitely add value to its core customers,” he said.

“Therefore, the endorsed funding would greatly assist in the upgrading of the deteriorating airways infrastructure and help in integrating facilities with modern airborne equipment and technology.”

Dion said this would boost PNGASL in providing modern air navigation services and improve in the growing trends and developments in aviation technology.

“The benefits of modernising PNG’s airways infrastructure and services would include improving compatibility with global trends, enhancing safety and efficiencies in operations, seamless services with adjacent service providers, cost effective services for both airlines and PNGASL,” he said.

Dion said it would have direct safety benefits on airline operations into rural and remote airstrips of PNG, where the majority of the population lived and relied on air transport services.