Air Niugini Leads PNG Aviation Push for On-Time Christmas Travel

Papua New Guinea travellers heading home for Christmas are seeing improvements in flight schedules as the aviation sector ramps up resources for the peak season.
Air Niugini Chairman Karl Yalo said the focus is on technical fixes and operational efficiency, not political arguments or blame games.

Passengers are being reminded to treat airline and airport staff with respect, with aggressive behaviour resulting in immediate removal from airports.
Chairman Yalo said airlines and airports, supported by government agencies, are doing everything possible to manage delays and get people home safely. “Overcoming delays is about getting people in seats and planes in the air,” he said.
He noted that issues such as bottlenecks, weather disruptions, and paperwork can affect departures, a challenge faced by airports worldwide during the Christmas season.
The introduction of new Airbus A220 aircraft has helped reduce congestion on key routes. The first plane is already operating flights to Lae, Alotau, Manus, and New Ireland, with additional aircraft arriving in the coming days.
Chairman Yalo said Christmas is a time for families to gather, and the aviation sector is committed to ensuring passengers reach their loved ones. “Everyone in the aviation sector, including Air Niugini, will work our hardest to get people home for Christmas,” he said.