Air Niugini meets world-class safety standards

Air Niugini has again successfully passed the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), giving the airline validation for the next two years. The IOSA certificate is a global industry standard for airline operational safety auditing. For two decades, IOSA has been the industry benchmark in safety auditing.

IOSA certification ensures airlines are compliant with safety requirements and recommended practices determined by IATA and is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system.

Under IOSA, accredited auditors assess Air Niugini’s operational management and control systems, including the areas of corporate organisation and management, flight operations, operational control, flight dispatch, aircraft engineering and maintenance, cabin operations, aircraft ground handling, cargo operations and operational security.

Air Niugini’s former Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Alabaster, said this achievement provides continued assurance that Air Niugini meets worldclass safety and security standards as measured against IATA’s global benchmark.

“At Air Niugini, safety is always our highest priority. It is expressed in everything we do. We are very proud of maintaining that safety record yet again this year.

“With IOSA certification and auditing, passengers can have comfort in knowing that an IOSA certified airline complies with the most stringent of rules and practices governing aviation safety. It is also one of the prerequisites for codeshare agreements with other international carriers.”

Air Niugini has successfully passed nine IOSA audits since 2009, and with every audit the airline has continuously endeavoured to improve its systems and processes and build the safety conscience of its staff. n

Games Nod For Air Niugini

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has presented Air Niugini with a plaque in appreciation of the airline’s ongoing support towards Team PNG’s preparation for the Pacific Games later this year.

The Pacific Games will be in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from November 19 to December 2.

With the plaque (from left) are PNGOC President, Sir John Dawanicura, champion weightlifter Dika Toua, Air Niugini’s Executive Manager, Retail Sales Charlie Wanma, PNGOC Secretary General Auvita Rapilla, and Air Niugini’s Manager, Corporate Communications Illan Kaprangi. n

A new-look plane for PNG skies?

As part of its re-fleeting program, Air Niugini executives and management recently undertook a demonstration flight in Port Moresby in the latest Embraer E195 E2 jet.

The Embraer is under consideration as a replacement aircraft for Air Niugini’s fleet of Fokker aircraft that operate on domestic and regional routes. The narrow-body 116seat Embraer promises better fuel economy, lower maintenance costs, good range and increased passenger comfort.

Recently, the Embraer entered service with KLM in Europe and regional Canadian carrier Porter Airlines. n