Commission keen to enhance aviation safety

The PNG Accidents Investigation Commission (PNGAIC) is negotiating an agreement with the aviation investigation agencies of Fiji, Solomon Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Hubert Namani, the Chief Commissioner of PNGAIC, said the purpose of the agreement was to facilitate cooperation between the AIC and the investigation agencies in those countries to exercise shared aviation safety investigation functions for the enhancement of aviation safety in those countries.
Namani said the agrement covers “a range of investigation activities, including shared resources and training opportunities”.
Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase said he was “very keen” to see the initiatives in place.
“With Air Niugini expanding its route network including the commencement of direct flights from Narita to Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia, and flights to Fiji via Honiara, cooperation in aviation safety investigation is vital,” he said.
“We want the people of PNG to know that their safety is paramount whether they are travelling around PNG or abroad.
“Our respective nation’s resources are finite, so it is important that small countries such as PNG and its regional neighbours share resources and cooperate in the interest of safety improvement,” Manase said.
Namani said: “The AIC’s Flight Recorder Laboratory and trained investigators are at the disposal of our regional neighbours if needed.
“While AIC is still in need of some specialist Flight Recorder hardware and software, the achievements of the AIC investigators have been outstanding, and they are producing world-class results providing irrefutable evidence for investigations.”