Airline news The latest from Air Niugini
Air Niugini backs soccer tournament
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ir Niugini has come on board to support the FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup in Port Moresby during November and December. The airline’s general manager of customers and markets, Dominic Kaumu, says the
Kick off … (from left) FIFA’s Tatjana Haenni, Air Niugini’s Dominic Kaumu and PNGFA president David Chung at the announcement of the airline’s support for the FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup.
support includes air travel discounts and other promotional activities. “Air Niugini is honoured to be associated with the renowned international football tournament. We thank FIFA for the opportunity to be a national supporter for the first-ever FIFA event hosted in Papua New Guinea.” FIFA head of women’s football, Tatjana Haenni, has welcomed Air Niugini’s support. “National supporters play a crucial role in our events, particularly in the promotion of the tournament to local audiences. We are certain that Air Niugini, as a national supporter, will make a strong contribution to the success of the FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup across Papua New Guinea.” President of PNG Football Association, David Chung, also welcomed Air Niugini on board as a football partner. The tournament starts on November 13 with PNG taking on Brazil under lights at the newly refurbished Sir John Guise Stadium. There are 16 countries vying for the trophy, including favourites Germany and the US. n For the full schedule of matches and more details about the tournament see fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/
Independence Day honours
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ir Niugini chief executive officer Simon Foo has congratulated three airline staff who have been recognised in the Independence Day honours. They are captain Lekwa Gure, Benedict Oraka and Maree Keygan. Captain Gure, who flies the airline’s Boeing 767, was awarded Officer of the Order of Logohu for his services to the airline industry for 40 years. He was also recognised for his services to the community, especially church and youth development. Oraka, who is Air Niugini’s executive manager of maintenance control, was awarded Member of the Order of Logohu for services to aviation and Air Niugini in the areas of aircraft engineering and airworthiness.
10 Paradise – Air Niugini’s in-flight magazine
Keygan was awarded the Logohu Medal for her services to the travel industry and Air Niugini. She has worked with the airline for 26 years and is currently the manager of airport and cargo services at Cairns airport in Australia. Meanwhile, Air Niugini staff at the head office in Port Moresby (pictured) celebrated Independence Day on September 16 by wearing the colours of the PNG flag – red, black and gold. n
Airport comfort … the Air Niugini lounge at Mount Hagen has been recognised for its interior design.
Airline lounge wins award
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ir Niugini’s Paradise lounge at the newly built Kagamuga International Airport in Mount Hagen has won the best commercial interior design award in the 2016 AkzoNobel Taubman’s Design Excellence Awards. The awards are organised by the PNG Institute of Architects. The lounge project was won by Tropical Projects, a national architectural company, which was among three finalists in its category. The others were Merea Haus’ Pineapple Building and TSL shop front at Monian Haus. Tropical Projects managing director David Gole says that when the lounge space was handed over last year it was an empty shell. “Various nominated contractors and suppliers were sourced,” he says, “including Pryde Furniture, which provided the built-in furniture, whilst the loose furniture – including dining, pendant lights and the kitchen fit-out equipment – came from Brian Bell.” Air Niugini chief executive officer Simon Foo congratulated Tropical Projects for a job well done, adding that the airline looks forward to continuing the partnership with the company. Air Niugini’s lounge at Kagamuga overlooks the airstrip and has views to the Hagen range in the distance. n