NATIONAL AIRPORTS CORPORATION SUPPLY CHAIN
T
he aviation industry plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of Papua New Guinea (PNG). At the forefront of airport operations here is the National Airports Corporation (NAC), a stateowned enterprise responsible for managing PNG’s national airports, delivering smart airport solutions and economic opportunities for citizens. As alternative forms of transport are often unavailable in PNG, coupled with the southwestern Pacific country’s complex topography and terrain, air transport continues to be the only possible means of connecting remote communities. “The vast majority of the population resides in the rural areas of the country, which is inaccessible due to the jungle and mountainous terrain,” explains Rex Kiponge, Managing Director and CEO of NAC. “PNG’s domestic aviation industry therefore plays a significant role in the nation’s transport sector, facilitating air transportation and providing an enabling environment for socioeconomic development.” Despite this, the potential for growth and expansion in PNG’s otherwise largely untapped and underutilised aviation industry remains vast, primarily because investments are highly capital-intensive. As part of the global aviation community, however, PNG and NAC strive to keep up with evolving passenger demands and expectations, emerging industry trends and innovations.
CADIP INVESTMENT Established at the turn of the century with formal operations commencing in 2010, NAC owns and operates a total of 22 national airports in PNG comprised of 13 jet airports and nine non-jet airports, thus playing an integral role for both domestic and international travel. 42 | APAC Outlook issue 54
