Singapore gets extra flight

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday 23rd August, 2012

AIR Niugini has announced a fifth weekly return flight to Singapore following an increase in passenger demand.
The airline’s chairman Garth McIlwain said yesterday that the 60% increase in passengers in the last 12 months was due to the LNG project.
Speaking at the launch of the business class amenity kit at the Airways Hotel, Port Moresby, McIlwain said this was also compounded by the strong performance of the PNG economy which was attracting more business people.
He added that because almost 80% of passengers were business associated people, the amenity kit would enable them to arrive refreshed and revitalised at their destination.
It is for incoming business-class customers on night flights from Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong and Narita.
The kit contains comfort items such as an eye mask, socks, ear plugs, comb, toothpaste and toothbrush, in addition to Palmer’s skin care products.
McIlwain said this was also to ensure Air Niugini remained competitive among its international competitors.
“With the current number of passengers travelling to and from Singapore, it is difficult to project how the trend will go, but we are expecting a similar number of passengers in the next 12 months,” he said.
He said Air Niugini has also embarked on improving the entire cabin of its international fleet of Boeing
767 aircraft.
“As part of the improvement, the airline has introduced new blankets in both economy and business class and by mid-2013, our customers will see results of the substantial investment we have made in upgrading cabin seating,” McIlwain said.
 along with others.
 entertaintment state-of-the-art In-seat Entertainment system,” McIlwain added.
The improvements also extend to the uniforms of the cabin crew.
“It is pleasing to note that Air Niugini is committed to continuous improvement in all areas of operations and to do so, we are looking at every aspect of our business to ensure our stakeholders, including the travelling public, receive the maximum return on our investment,” he said.