A message from Air Niugini’s CEO

kokopo visit for air niugini board

The Air Niugini board buckled up recently for a flight from Port Moresby to Kokopo.

Led by Chairman Sir Kostas Constantinou, the board and airline management visited Kokopo for a board meeting and made courtesy calls to airline staff at Tokua Airport and the Kokopo sales office.

Staff were briefed about the latest developments within the airline and the challenges posed by COVID-19. n

Top left: Air Niugini Board Chairman, Sir Kostas Constantinou (yellow shirt), and the airline’s CEO, Bruce Alabaster (blue shirt) are welcomed by airline staff at Tokua Airport. Middle: Air Niugini board chairman and directors (from left) Bruce Alabaster, Lady Aivu Tauvasa, Sir Kostas Constantinou, Monica Salter and Anthony Seeto. (Absent: Prashant Shastri, Gary Seddon and Karl Kerepa Yalo). Top right: Air Niugini board, management and staff at the Kokopo sales office.

PICTURES: AIR NIUGINI

Top executive joins Air Niugini

Air Niugini has appointed experienced aviation executive Paul Abbot to the role of General Manager Commercial.

He started with the airline in June, after previously working with Air New Zealand and PNG Air, where he was CEO.

“I am looking forward to being the voice of the customer within Air Niugini and ensuring product, service and operations take a customer-centred approach.” he says.

For our full interview with Paul Abbot, turn to the Strictly Business pages, starting on Page 94. n

New General Manager Commercial, Paul Abbot (front row, centre), with his team. (Back row, from left) Manager Sales and Retail Operations, Peter Dokta; e-Commerce manager, Betty Seta; Executive Manager Customer Experience and Product Design, Floyd Smith; Manager Destinations Loyalty, Henry Gelu; Executive Manager Sales and Distribution, Charlie Wanma. Front row, from left) Manager Advertising and Events, Ido Kariko; Manager Passenger Service Systems, Maggie Gime; Manager Corporate Communications, Illan Kaprangi; and Manager Agency and Interline, Racheal Ume.

Hardware partnersHip

Air Niugini Destinations and Executive Club members now have the benefit of a 10 per cent discount at Badili Hardware.

Badili Hardware joins six other corporate partners that provide discounts to members.

Air Niugini CEO, Bruce Alabaster, welcomed the hardware outlet on board.

“A key feature of corporate partnerships with the airline is the ability to not only allow for earning and redemption of loyalty points, but also providing the opportunity for members to enjoy other benefits apart from travel,” he said.

Air Niugini continues to grow corporate partnerships to give back to loyal customers.

Apart from Badili Hardware, Pacific MMI Insurance and Kokopo Beach Bungalow have also renewed their partnerships recently.

The program, launched in August 2009, has 124,000 members. n

Book now, pay your airfare later

Air Niugini has introduced Fare Lock to its seat-booking process, a system that ensures a customer’s selected airfare does not change and that their flight does not sell while they make a final decision on whether to book.

Air Niugini CEO, Bruce Alabaster, says: “It can be used where a customer needs to finalise vacation plans, book accommodation, arrange airport transfers or is still undecided. Whatever the reason may be, Fare Lock now gives customers the chance to hold fares while they decide.”

Fare Lock is available exclusively online at airniugini.com.pg. It is a self-service facility that gives customers the opportunity to hold their reservation for between 36 and 48 hours with a fee.

How it works: 1. Search for a flight at airnuigini.com.pg. 2. Select your preferred flight and complete the required details. 3. On the payment page, select the ‘Lock My Fare’ option and pay the applicable fee to reserve your booking with any of the valid payment options. 4. Take note of your booking reference on the confirmation page. You will also receive an email confirmation with your travel details. 5. When you are ready to pay, access the ‘Manage Booking’ option. Use your booking reference and surname to retrieve your saved booking and proceed to complete ticket purchase. n

Booking airfares online with Air Niugini has just become more flexible with Fare Lock.

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