airline news
The latest from Air Niugini
StreamlineD air travel with online check-in
A Aircraft named after ‘Rabaul’
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100 Air Niugini has named one of its Fokker 100 aircraft ‘Rabaul’, following on from another F100 that has been named ‘City of Lae’ and F70s that have been named ‘Mt Hagen’, ‘Hoskins’ and ‘Alotau’. Air Niugini chairman Sir Frederick Reiher said at the naming ceremony that the name ‘Rabaul’ is in recognition of the significant contribution made by East New Britain towards the airline’s domestic routes. Air Niugini currently operates 48 flights a week between Rabaul and Port Moresby, Kavieng, Buka, Kieta, Lihir, Hoskins and Lae. “Through the national hub in Port Moresby, Air Niugini connects Rabaul to 55 international flights a week in each direction.
These flights cover 13 destinations in Asia, Australia and the Pacific.” Sir Frederick also said that East New Britain, and its capital Rabaul, have been nominated by the National Government under its four pillars of national economic development plan as the tourism hub for the country, and therefore it is fitting to have the provincial capital’s name on one of its aircraft. Sir Frederick, Air Niugini chief executive officer, Simon Foo, Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat and ENB governor Ereman ToBaining Junior (pictured above) conducted the naming ceremony during a heavy downpour in Rabaul. Meanwhile, Link PNG is planning new services between Rabaul and Jacquinot Bay this year. n
ir Niugini passengers on domestic and international flights are being encouraged to make use of the airline’s online check-in system to avoid queuing at airport check-in counters. The airline’s general manager of customers and markets, Dominic Kaumu, says the online check-in is a self-service facility available at airniugini.com.pg. “Passengers have the advantage of selecting their preferred seats and being able to purchase other services such as extra leg room seats, extra baggage allowances and other products that may be on offer on the flight.” He says that at the end of the online check-in process, passengers can print or email their boarding passes, and those without baggage can proceed to the security gate and into the boarding lounge without having to present themselves at the check-in counter. Passengers with bags can check-in at a specific bag-drop counter without having to go through the entire check-in process. Passengers can check-in online from 24 hours up to three hours before the flight departs. The online service is available to passengers travelling on all Air Niugini and Link PNG destinations, except for Australia and Japan, which will come online later. n
Hundreds attend airline’s open day
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undreds of people turned up for Air Niugini’s recent open day at the Vunapope School in Kokopo, East New Britain. The day was part of the airline’s 43rd anniversary activities in Kokopo. Different departments within the airline provided career information and showcased their activities.
12 Paradise – Air Niugini’s in-flight magazine
Among the staff on hand was aircraft maintenance engineer Walumi Nagela (pictured right). He specialises in airframe and powerplant rating on the Fokker F70 and F100, Bombardier DHC-8-200, DHC-8-300, and the Q400 aircraft. n