Air Niugini clarifies discount promotion

STATE-owned airline Air Niugini is expected to release additional seats to cater for demand within the pre-agreed limit of the 50,000 seats promotion that it announced last week.

The airline’s general manager customers and markets Dominic Kaumu said this yesterday after the airline launched its half price airfare by 50 percent discount for 12 months.

He said the tura fare was available on the airline’s entire domestic network and was 50 percent of the base fares alone and to those first-come first-serve customers.

Since the launch of the 50 percent airfare last week, concerns had been raised by members of the public that the discount fare had not been effective although it would be starting this month.

The public said it was a "media stunt" and wanted the airline to be more specific about dates and fare travel within domestic destinations.

However, Mr Kaumu said people may be aware that the cost of a ticket includes appropriate taxes by relevant authorities.

"For the tura fare, we are releasing 50,000 seats spread over the next 12 months however, given the very high demand; we are reviewing our strategies and are releasing additional seats to cater for this demand within the pre-agreed limit of 50,000," Mr Kaumu said. "It is possible that when people call up, the seats that have been released on the tura fares have been taken up by other travellers.

"But people need to appreciate and understand the fact that the 50 percent discount is for the airfare alone."

The announcement came as the Government confirmed its intention to sell 49 percent of the airline so that it remains viable and competitive in the face of challenges faced by other airlines.

PNG Today/Post Courier