PNG ranked top of South Pacific for aviation safety, behind only Australia

Papua New Guinea has been recognised as the safest country for aviation in the South Pacific outside of Australia, with new figures showing the nation's air industry is meeting international safety standards, laws and technical requirements at a high level.

The country now holds an effective implementation (EI) score of 80 percent, placing it ahead of New Zealand on 70 percent and Canada, home to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), on 65 percent. ICAO is the global body responsible for setting and monitoring aviation safety standards for airports around the world.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Chief Executive Officer Benedict Oraka said the 80 percent rating was not a reflection of CASA alone, but of the entire aviation sector working together.

"PNG's effective implementation score for safety is 80 percent or 80.55 percent today. This tremendous effort is the effort of the whole civil aviation system in PNG," he said.

Oraka said the figure placed the country above other regional players. "So, PNG across the South Pacific sits at number one in terms of aviation safety. Even ahead of New Zealand. So, I guess in Asia, in the South Pacific region, the only country standing in our way is Australia."

He broke down what the score actually means for everyday travellers passing through PNG's airports. "So, if PNG's score is 80 percent, PNG has an 80 percent chance of you walking into the airport, checking through, hopping on an airplane, taking off, landing and walking out of the airport with an 80% chance that you will get to your destination safely."

Oraka noted the country had sat at an EI score of around 60 percent for the past 15 to 20 years before recent gains lifted it into its current position, crediting combined efforts from peak aviation bodies for the improvement.

He also backed incoming Civil Aviation Minister Douglas Tomuriesa to continue strengthening the sector alongside CASA.

"PNG will be a leader in terms of aviation safety and aviation security. And we're all grateful to Wake Goi and Minister Douglas Tomuriesa; we're grateful to you that you will take us to new heights."