PNG Air committed to serving rural airstrips

PNG Air remains committed to serving the rural airstrips and areas in Papua New Guinea, according to the airline.
Chief operating executive Glenn Dunstan said this following the closure of flights to Tufi in Northern due to operational restrictions.
He said that a new data revealed that the slope of the runway exceeded 3 per cent, which was the maximum allowed by the manufacturer for the DH8A aircraft type forcing the cessation of flights into Tufi.
“PNG Air looks forward to a resolution into the airstrip/airport compliance to allow services in the near future for Tufi,” Dunstan said.
He said PNG Air had been servicing Tufi since 1995 for charters and started in 1998 for commercial flights.
The closest port to Tufi will now be Popondetta.