Minister wants Govt to support air traffic management systems

THE advanced air traffic management (ATM) systems at NiuSky Pacific Ltd (NSPL) places Papua New Guinea well ahead of some countries in the region and must receive adequate Government funding support, Civil Aviation Minister Sekie Agisa says.
NSPL, formerly PNG Air Services Ltd, is the sole provider of air navigation services for the country.
NSPL’s primary business is to provide air traffic management and air navigation services to the aviation industry in PNG for both domestic and international air operators who use the country’s designated airspace which is known as the flight information region (FIR).
Agisa said, in Parliament last week when presenting the 2017, 2018 and 2019 annual reports, that this was a result of the modernisation programme endorsed in 2013, with an initial commitment of K223 million.
He said the main issue affecting the company’s functions had been not receiving the full amounts requested annually from the Government.
The actual disbursement to date amounts to K38 million through the annual budgetary allocations between 2013 and 2019.
Agisa said despite the Government’s ongoing funding shortfalls, funding from the Australian government and Asian Development Bank had enabled the department to ensure the ongoing delivery of the modernisation programme.
He said advanced ATM systems at NiuSky removed any operational limitations within PNG airspace, allowing the efficient flow of air traffic through neighbouring FIRs.
“The benefits of the company’s modernisation programme are currently being realised not by NiuSky itself, but, by the industry and the travelling public,” he said.
“The number of incidents attributable to air traffic services have been reduced and eliminated over the past few years resulting in significant aviation safety outcomes.”