By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Alotau
The first group of international tourists flew directly from Australia, to be part of Milne Bay’s Kenu and Kundu Festival.
Passengers were so privileged to board Air Niugini’s test flight, to begin the direct service from Brisbane to Alotau.
It was Fokker 70, Alpha November Romeo, was given a welcome wash down, to mark the test flight.
The excitement was seen on people present at Gurney Airport.
Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, flew in earlier yesterday morning in the Falcon Jet to officiate at the 12th Kenu and Kundu Festival.
He also made time available to welcome the delegation that was led by State Investments Minister, Ben Micah.
Meanwhile Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Simon Foo, said the test flight compliments the National Government’s Tourism Zone Support Initiative program and was to introduce direct flights out of Brisbane to sectors like Gurney, Alotau.
“This is part of the National Government’s decision to open Alotau as an international port of entry,” said Mr Foo.
This was also to improve the tourism sector and give direct access to local small to medium enterprises, to make money.
Meanwhile, Milne Bay remains a potential tourism hub province with Gurney Airport to start receiving international flights from Brisbane, Australia soon.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=z5goyTwjbrY%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
