Most flights unaffected, Tupiri says

 By MEMO HAUKE
IT was normal operations at the Jackson International Airport yesterday, according to the National Airport Corporation managing director Joseph Tupiri.
“Due to the civil unrest on Wednesday, only a Virgin Airline flight turned back while in midair and a Qantas afternoon flight cancelled – both as a result of misreporting by ABC and social media but today normal flight operation resumes,” Tupiri told The National.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said flight VA189 from Brisbane to Port Moresby turned back as safety concerns became a priority due to the civil unrest in Port Moresby.
“We will continue to monitor the situation in Port Moresby and will update guests if other flights will be affected,” Tupiri said
Qantas said: “We cancelled yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon’s return service from Cairns to Port Moresby. Customers have been re-accommodated on the next available service. We will operate our two daily return service between Cairns and Port Moresby today (yesterday) as normal.”
Air Niugini reported that most of its morning flights yesterday operated as scheduled except for the cancellation of afternoon flights to Western Highlands due to reports of civil unrest and closure of the airport by the responsible authorities there.
A statement from Air Niugini said the morning flights were delayed as passengers and staff had difficulty getting to the airport but most Air Niugini flights operated as normal.
Air Niugini said it would advise when the airport would re-open for flights to resume.
Managing director and chief executive of PNG Air Services Ltd Captain Ted Pakii assured travellers that they would continue to perform their mandated duties to ensure that the safety of the travelling public was not compromised.