Air Niugini increases flights to Japan
The flights will be every Wednesday, departing Port Moresby at 2:10 pm arriving Narita-7:55 pm (local time) while the return flight will arrive in Port Moresby 4:55 am.
The increased service was announced by Planning Minister Charles Abel in Port Moresby yesterday during the presentation of a dummy cheque for K5 million as the National Government’s support towards this cause.
Present for this auspicious event was Air Niugini’s chief executive officer Simon Foo and Japanese consultant Hideo Kamioka.
Mr Abel said the Government was committed to growing the tourism sector and as such had initiated the special tourism zone.
He said the increased service between PNG and Japan would greatly assist in this regard.
He said that Japan remained the third largest source for PNG in terms of visitor numbers to the country, adding that the increased service from one to two per week would enable PNG to capture its share of the market.
"Japan remains an important trading partner for PNG and the additional flights should enhance the business relationship and increase business opportunities between the two countries. The additional flights will also have flow on benefits for Papua New Guineans increasing opportunities for education and travel by ordinary citizens who might be interested in travelling to Japan.
Mr Foo in receiving the cheque had stated that Air Niugini had and would continue to support the National Government with its drive to promote the tourism industry.
"The funding is to share the risks," he said.
He had stated that the second service between Port Moresby and Narita would be introduced in July 6, 2016, with plans for a third as soon as necessary amendments are made to the bilateral Air Service Agreements between the two countries. He said the rationale in introducing the flight in July next year was that it would give tour operators and tourists time to market the service while the latter to plan their travel.
He had explained that unlike tourists from other countries, those from Japan were more after short stays, adding the current schedule was not condusive.
Mr Kamioka had stated that PNG remained an ideal tourist destination for the Japanese market, but had reiterated the flight frequencies had been an impediment.
He said the increased services between the two countries would greatly boost Japanese arrival numbers
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