K100m home

By GYNNIE KERO
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has praised the 138-room residential complex for Air Niugini staff as a “decent accommodation” of “international standard”.
The complex at Jackson Airport in Port Moresby cost the national airline more than K100 million to build, and expects to save K18 million annually in staff accommodation costs.
O’Neill praised the airline which, despite facing difficulties, is making the effort to lift the standard of its services and the employment conditions for its staff.
“Air Niugini is a very big company employing thousands of people. Staff is one of the major strengths of any company,” O’Neill said.
“I know the airline has been operating under a very difficult environment.
“It is a very competitive industry, very low margins. But we can be proud that after more than 40 years, it continues to operate in a financially sound manner and provide the link between many of our communities throughout the country.
“I’m pleased to see the airline has continued to grow. We have seen positive changes. And the airline is competitive in the region. The industry plays an important role promoting tourism.”
He said the new complex would “benefit Air Niugini and of course provide staff with decent accommodation of international standard”.
Air Niugini chairman Sir Frederick Reiher said like other sectors, the airline endured tough times.
“The complex is an important component of our package to remain competitive and viable in tough times,” he said.
“This year, we have seen an upturn in passenger numbers partly driven by our important role as the official Apec airline.
“We have worked hard to ensure our business clients and the travelling public can continue to have affordable air travel.”
Sir Frederick reiterated the problem the airline faced as regards the shortage of pilots.
“There is a regional and worldwide shortage of pilots. We are not immune to that because our pilots are highly skilled and in demand,” he said.
“We are responding to that by reviewing our pilots’ conditions in order to be competitive as much as possible within .”