Rural Airstrip Authority gets K6m

 The National Executive Council has approved K6 million for the establishment of a Rural Airstrip Authority.

Acting Prime Minister Leo Dion said Cabinet endorsed the transfer of K6 million for the authority. 

“The funds will come from the Transport Department and go to the Rural Airstrip Agency of PNG Ltd,” he said.

The NEC confirmed that the authority would remain with the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Dion said through the Civil Aviation Act 2000,  Parliament has mandated the Civil Aviation Ministry to strategically position the Government to facilitate and support sustainable growth in the aviation sector.

“This is done so that the sector can effectively contribute meaningfully to economic and social development of the country,” Dion said.

“It is well known that a significant part of our rural population will continue to depend entirely on air transport for access to health and other government services. 

“For some, the only market access for an income is by plane and that situation will remain for a long time.”