Downturn forces PX to change schedules

 Air Niugini is experiencing a downturn in its business and rationalised flights schedules from Port Moresby to Lae has come into effect last Saturday.

A direct flight from Port Moresby to Lae has been replaced with a connection flight via Mt Hagen.

Several business houses in Lae, Morobe, who rely on the prioritised flights between the nation’s capital and the industrial hub had raised their concerns to the Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

The chamber had raised the issue with the national airliner.

“The LCCI has received some strong criticisms about the apparent replacement of flights PX 106 and 108 (POM/Lae direct) with PX 186 that seem to have commenced, flying from POM/HGU (Mt Hagen)/LAE,” president of LCCI Allan McLay said.

“This will affect adversely the ability of many business people to travel from Lae to Port Moresby in the morning and return in the late afternoon after completing a full days business,” McLay said.

The LCCI has been advised by Simon Foo, the chief executive officer of Air Niugini, that the airliner had experienced a downturn in their business and had rationalised their schedules which was effective as of last Saturday (May 10). 

Foo said: “Morobe will be affected in that we shall be reducing one flight a day. However, we shall still offer four flights per day (POM/LAE/POM). 

“In addition, due to very poor loads we shall suspend the RPT flights to Bulolo and serve these passengers via LAE. The contract charters with MMJV will continue.”

“We have not been able to confirm whether this change of flight is just a temporary arrangement. We will continue to request information and advise members,” McLay said.