Philippines Airlines to start Port Moresby Services

Philippine  Airlines (PAL) will begin operations between Port Moresby from Manila later this year, an official says.

When confirming PAL’s services to Papua New Guinea, National Airports Corporation managing director Joseph Tupiri told The National the arrangement followed an air services agreement between the two governments.

“We (NAC) can confirm that Philippine Airlines have requested for slots through our recently appointed slot coordinator for Jackson International Airport,” Tupiri said.

A landing, takeoff, or airport slot is a right granted by an airport owner which allows the slot holder to schedule a landing or departure during a specific time-period.

“They (PAL) have requested and we have approved two slots per week, Fridays and Sundays begining in October 2015,” Tupiri said.

“NAC and Philippine Airlines will be discussing the conditions of use of our airport.

“PNG Government and Philippine Government have an Air Services Agreement (ASA). PNG uses its side of the ASA with Air Niugini operating into Philippines.

Philippine Airlines is using their right under the same ASA to operate into PNG,” he added.

In a statement yesterday, PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J Bautista said: “The robust investment climate and the upsurge of business travel to and from Papua New Guinea make it ideal for PAL to open services between Manila and Port Moresby.”

He said the service would operate twice a week, with flight PR215 departing Manila every Friday and Sunday at 2.10am arriving in Port Moresby at 9.20am.

“The return flight, PR216, departs Port Moresby on the same days at 10.10am, arriving in Manila at 1.20pm.
The schedule will allow passengers to further connect with the flag carrier’s domestic and international route network.

After Port Moresby, PAL would fly to Cairns, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand in December

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL