Airlines from Papua New Guinea (PNG) gained a temporary reprieve in January when Australia agreed to extend their operating licences through April, but PNG must address underlying problems or those licences face expiration again.
Canberra extended the licences for three months on condition that PNG aviation authorities improve oversight of their carriers. Otherwise, Air Niugini and four smaller airlines could lose operating access to Australia. Air Niugini's Boeing 767-300 service is exempt because it is on New Zealand's registry, but its Fokker F28 flights to Cairns risk cancellation.
Jack Naiyep, new chairman of PNG's civil aviation authority, has announced steps to improve his agency. He claims its track record "has been a disgrace".
This comes at a difficult time for Air Niugini. The carrier has been leaderless since Peter Roberts suddenly resigned last June. Due to changes in government, the airline has only recently started advertising for a new chief executive.
Source: Airline Business
