By Fabian Hakalits – EMTV Port Moresby
National Flag Carrier Air Niugini has recorded an increase, in the number of passengers traveling to the newly-opened Aropa Airport in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Air Niugini General Manager Commercial, Dominic Kaumu, told EMTV News that so far 122 passengers have travelled to Aropa, since the National Flag Carrier resumed commercial flights last Saturday.
The airport was opened on December 12 by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Bougainville President Chief Dr John Momis after 25 years of closure.
Air Niugini has announced three weekly services from Port Moresby to Aropa on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
PX 4354 departs Port Moresby on Tuesday at 7am and arrives in Kieta (Aropa airport) at 10am. It leaves Kieta (Aropa airport) at 10:30am and returns to Port Moresby (Jacksons airport) via Rabaul (Tokua airport).
PX 4352 on Thursday departs Port Moresby via Rabaul and continues to Kieta. It leaves POM at 7am to Rabaul and later Kieta, arriving at 1105am. The return flight leaves Kieta at 1135am and arrives back in POM at 1235pm.
PX 4354 on Saturday departs Port Moresby at 7am and arrives in Kieta at 10am. It leaves Kieta at 1030am to Rabaul and returns to Kieta and later Port Moresby.
Mr Kaumu said the commencement of air services opens business opportunities for the people of Central and South Bougainville.
