PNG Hosts Aviation Leaders as Air Niugini Drives 80th ASPA Session in Port Moresby
PNG’s aviation sector took centre stage this week as Air Niugini helped deliver a successful 80th Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA) General Session in Port Moresby, bringing together more than 100 regional and international delegates to discuss the future of Pacific aviation. The two-day gathering, held from 12–13 November, focused on emerging technologies and the rapid transformation of the global airline industry.
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| PNG Hosts Aviation Leaders as Air Niugini Drives 80th ASPA Session in Port Moresby [Photo supplied] |
Prime Minister James Marape opened the session, thanking ASPA for choosing Papua New Guinea as host and noting the country’s reliance on safe and reliable air transport. He reminded delegates of PNG’s cultural and geographic diversity, saying, “With over 800 languages, hundreds of cultures, and terrain that stretches from highland valleys to vast islands and coastlines, PNG is one of the most diverse nations on earth.”
Air Niugini’s Officer in Charge and Acting Chief Operating Officer Captain Samiu Taufa MBE delivered one of the key presentations, reflecting on the national carrier’s 50-year journey and outlining its digital and fleet-modernisation programs. He said the airline’s next phase aligns with the Government’s Vision 2030 and its shift toward data-driven systems, new aircraft types, and improved operational efficiency.
Captain Taufa said PNG’s identity is woven into the region’s culture and connectivity, adding that the airline has long served as a bridge between communities across the country and the wider Pacific. “In many ways, PNG’s diversity reflects the richness of our Pacific region — vibrant, complex, and deeply connected by the ocean and by our people,” he said.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop welcomed delegates at a pre-conference reception, pointing to Port Moresby’s ongoing development and the improvements seen across the city. Delegates later toured major sites such as APEC Haus, Ela Beach and the National Parliament, while cultural groups from Manus, Bougainville and Vabukori showcased PNG’s traditions during the official dinner.
The ASPA session covered regulatory matters, the future of artificial intelligence in aviation, airline financial systems, safety, and digital transformation. Captain Taufa also highlighted Air Niugini’s partnership with Oracle in upgrading financial and operational platforms. The event reaffirmed PNG’s role as an emerging Pacific hub, ending with the message that, “This is how Air Niugini will strengthen its presence beyond our borders, combining advanced aircraft technology with regional partnerships and digital systems that make travel seamless and efficient.”
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