PX suspends Madang flights due to airport runway upgrade

AIR Niugini says the temporary suspension of its flights to Madang on Friday is due to a runway upgrade by the National Airports Corporation that starts today.
The airliner said in a statement said that due to the shortened length of the runway at Madang, the Dash-8 aircraft had restrictions on the number of passengers it could carry.
It said from July 26 to Aug 16 the useable runway at Madang would be too short for even limited Dash-8 operations, therefore, customers were reminded that Air Niugini flights to Madang during this period would be temporarily suspended.
During the period of suspension, Tropicair would be basing a smaller Twin Otter aircraft at Madang to operate services to and from Lae and Mt Hagen, where passengers could connect with Air Niugini flights.
Tickets can also be purchased at the Tropicair sales office at Jackson Airport or at the Madang Resort kiosk inside the Air Niugini terminal in Madang.
Check in for the Tropicair flights will be from the Air Niugini terminals at Madang, Mt Hagen and Nadzab airports.
Air Niugini said it regretted the inconvenience to the travelling public, however, safety of operations remained its primary concern.
“We look forward to resuming our Fokker jet services to Madang once the runway maintenance is completed,” the company said.