By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
National Flag Carrier, Air Niugini, is planning to extend its international flight services to New Zealand.
This has been revealed by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Simon Foo.
With its future looks promising with plans, Mr Foo told EMTV News, he has met with Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, providing updates on the Tripartite Code Share Agreement between Air Niugini, Solomon Airlines and Air Vanuatu and is optimistic.
“That in future, we will look on flights to New Zealand though Vanuatu. Those flights will extend in the future. It is commercially viable to go from Vanuatu to New Zealand and back,” he said
On the Code Share Agreement, Air Niugini now has the right as operating carrier on the Port Moresby, Honiara and Vanuatu sector.
Air Niugini’s Fokker 70 aircraft will be operating these sectors with certain seats blocked off or purchased by Air Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, as marketing carriers.
“We see that as a first step going forward to open up more code share agreements with our neighbouring countries.”
The tripartite agreement is a positive strengthening trade and economic ties. However, Mr Foo says the three parties focus is to work together to benefit the Melanesian countries aviation sector.
“We also have to do that as we are a bigger partner with Solomon Airlines and Air Vanuatu. We have to make concessions,” Foo said.
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