National Airline carrier, Air Niugini is required under the State of Emergency orders to follow directives issued by the State of Emergency Controller, David Manning.
It is based on these activities that Air Niugini is ONLY approved to fly to Brisbane five times a week; Cairns two times a week, and Singapore four times a week.
Scheduled flights to other locations are NOT approved under the present SOE directives.
In a statement released by PNG’s National Airline Carrier, Air Niugini, stated that the airline is on standby to assist the National Government’s directive to bring back Papua New Guinea citizens and permanent residents who have been stranded overseas due to Corona virus or COVID-19 travel restrictions, but this requires SOE Controller, David Manning’s approval first.
The airline understands that the PNG Government is close to implementing this travel arrangement and says they will advise as soon as all requirements are in order and the process is approved.
In the meantime, Air Niugini continues to uplift passengers OUTBOUND ONLY to Brisbane, Cairns and Singapore,. The airline stated that they DO NOT CARRY INBOUND PASSENGERS unless they are a part of the Governments efforts and are medical and critical personnel to tackle the COVID-19 issues and are approved to return.
This can only be carried out once the government’s arrangement to bring back citizens is approved. All inbound international passengers are required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival, at one of eight hotels in Port Moresby approved for this process.
Hotels presently approved by the SOE Controller are:
- Holiday Inn
- Ela Beach Hotel
- Sanctuary Hotel
- Dixies Bungalows
- Grand Papua Hotel
- Stanley Hotel
- Hilton Hotel
- Laguna Hotel
- Granville Hotel
Air Niugini is aware that the PNG Government is working on options for returning citizens who cannot afford the hotel costs and will advise when an update is received on this.
Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Air Niugini’s domestic flights to all airports in PNG are now open for travel except for the eight airports of Daru, Kiunga, Wewak, Vanimo, Tabubil, Lihir, Buka and Kieta.
The four Western border airports still require the approval of the SOE Controller and Air Niugini will continue to operate some flights to the four airports as approval is given.
Tabubil and Lihir airports have been closed by Ok Tedi Limited and Newcrest respectively.
Flights to Buka and Kieta still require approval from the Bougainville SOE controller; however, Air Niugini is operating the occasional flights to Buka based on Bougainville’s SOE controller approval. There is no approval for uplift of passengers into Buka and Kieta at present.
By Annette Kora – EMTV News – Port Moresby
