Flights back – but with caution

EVERYONE has to do their part in looking after airports, which play a vital role in national development, says National Airports Corporation (NAC) managing director Richard Yopo.
He said this when providing an update on last week’s unlawful closure of Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen by a group of disgruntled individuals.
The airport operations returned to normal since Friday.
“There are flights going into Mt Hagen and the airport is operating again but under an air of caution for security,” Yopo said.
“We have taken restraining orders through the National Court on several individuals who were involved in the damaging and closing of aerodrome facilities and they will be facing the law if they come onto the aerodrome.”
About 50 NAC staff are employed at Kagamuga and they were threatened during the airport lockup on Thursday, Yopo said.
“The police have also given us assurances that they will step in if there are further disturbances to airport operations, and they should.
“The upkeep and support of airports is also an issue to be taken on by the provincial government as well because Western Highlands needs the airport.
“It provides for the people and when it is closed, the province will miss out.
“It is our job, but the people, police and governments in the provinces, with airports have to take ownership of these important infrastructure and not let a few hijack much-needed services.”
Yopo said such incidents were setbacks for the growth of the aviation industry in PNG, which is highly regulated internationally, especially in regards to safety and security.
Air Niugini general manager, corporate, Marco McConnell said the airline did not operate all three of its flights to Mt Hagen last week because of the incident.
“As the national carrier, the safety of our customers is our number one priority,” he said.
PNG Air confirmed that it did not operate flights for that day as well.