PNG AIR

ASIA PNG AIR

The crucial connection for Papua New Guinea

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Come Fly

OUR WAY People are the central focus of all operations at PNG Air, demonstrating care and understanding of customers’ needs while adhering to strict safety standards Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Callam Waller NG Air is responsible for providing a service to the country that is a crucial connector to the more diverse regions, including land that is spread across islands, mountains, rivers and jungles.

The Company and the industry that it operates in as a whole is vital to the people living in Papua New Guinea (PNG), servicing those that are travelling for business, family, friendship and recreational purposes. Aviation is an essential service and a widely appreciated one at that; held in

the same regard as hospitals and schools which also place a lot of responsibility on the airlines.

“The incredible geography that makes our country so unique is also the factor that makes it one of the world’s most difficult environments for aviation services,” explains Muralee Siva, Chief Executive Officer at PNG Air. “This has heightened the need for PNG to develop a modern, dynamic and cutting-edge airline for its residents.”

When taking these factors into account, launching a new airline which is a difficult enough task in

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HAWKER PACIFIC

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awker Pacific is a market leader in integrated civil and military aerospace sales and product support in Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific and the Middle East.

As one of the largest independent companies of its type in the region, for nearly 40 years Hawker pacific has provided a diverse range of integrated aviation solutions, including aircraft sales, product support and flight services.

The Company represents some of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers such as Beechcraft, Cessna, Bell Helicopter and Diamond Aircraft, as well as providing support to a wide range of manufacturers.

most countries as it is - is especially challenging for PNG Air. However, despite the difficulties it has been faced with, this is a challenge that the Company has taken on wholeheartedly, aiming to become the fresh face of aviation in the country.

“The vision to create our Company was first formulated in 2013, and from the beginning it has always been about creating an exceptional connector for all Papua New Guineans,” affirms Siva.

“This differs from many companies that are simply focusing on the lucrative resources sector. PNG Air is all about people and that will be reflected in everything we do.

“We are committed to creating more opportunities for people to travel, making it easier to book and pay for your travel and improving our service.”

With its initial plans built upon the need to enrich the lives of those living in PNG, the Company identified the three key aspects that it needed

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to change in order to achieve this, including improved performance, ownership, the aircraft and the brand name.

“We brought PNG Air into a majority ownership with the MRDC Group and NasFund, and between them they represent a large proportion of the country’s population,” continues Siva.

“This was a critical factor in the steps to sharpening the focus we have on serving the domestic market.

“We know that an airline can only be as good as its fleet, and this is the reason that PNG Air has invested so heavily in the best aircraft for PNG’s difficult conditions.”

Making a difference

Throughout its development as a Company, PNG Air has always focused on the areas in which it believes it can make a difference.

“From the beginning we have set out to provide a top-class domestic service and it is only once we have

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Ranging from new and used aircraft to engineering design and aircraft special mission modification, MRO support, spares supply, avionics support, aircraft charter and fleet management, Hawker Pacific will always deliver the best aviation solution.

Hawker Pacific is proudly Australia’s premier fixed base operator (FBO), with a network of facilities located in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Singapore, Perth and Shanghai.

At the core of Hawker Pacific’s growth and success is its primary focus on delivering exemplary customer service and tailored aviation solutions. Hawker Pacific prides itself on going above and beyond to exceed customer Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx expectations, while buildingxxxxxxxxx longstanding relationships with clients in markets all over the world.

Hawker Pacific specialises in working closely with customers to clearly identify and understand unique requirements, allowing it to deliver both the best solutions and advice with thanks to the extensive experience and knowledge it has developed over the years.

T +61 2 9708 8555 E enquiries@hawkerpacific.com

www.hawkerpacific.com

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aviation needs for the country, which we believe will take place in 2018.”

In terms of the contracts PNG Air has in place presently to aid this development, the airline successfully bid for the rights to all Newcrest Mining domestic RPT requirements in October, 2014. This was followed up by the consolidation of the RPT and Charter requirements for the Company in August, 2017.

Siva explains: “Without a doubt, this contract has been the largest travel account for PNG by quite the considerable margin, with this win reflective of the faith in our service delivery and the new products that we are able to offer.”

Training and technical skill development

Rigorous internal processes

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Due to the highly technical capabilities needed at PNG Air, the Company’s available pool of talent often lacks the education or training requirements available in other markets. As a result achieved that delivery, that our sights of this, hiring based on attitude, will be set on other markets,” adds enthusiasm, willingness to learn and Siva. “We have held true to our core honesty and integrity becomes vital to business strategy and are always the selection process. looking to develop opportunities that “I have always said that you can keep in line with our vision and goals provide someone with training and for the future.” teach them skills, but you cannot In order to carry out these external change a person’s attitude,” continues developments, the Company has Siva. “We are fortunate enough to rigorous internal processes that have been able to hire good people are constantly ongoing in order to and I am passionate about offering eliminate unnecessary costs and them a reason to stay with us. wastage. The airline is completely “Career progression is a huge part focused on developing the best of what we do at PNG Air, so when possible aviation products for PNG, we see talent we will work hard to and subsequently has brought in brand foster and develop it to the best of our new aircraft to the country. ability.”

“Perhaps our biggest strength The key driver and reason for success within the Company is the discipline we at PNG Air is its people, over time have established, enabling us to stick having developed a likeminded team to our vision for the future which were who believe in what the Company is agreed upon almost five years ago by trying to achieve. In addition to that, both our board and shareholders,” the aforementioned clear vision of the states Siva. “We hope that our plans future of the business model and future place us in prime position to take makes it a lot easier to run the day-to-day advantage of the next boom in improvements.

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Digital impact

Despite the fact that PNG Air is rapidly developing, the country it operates in still tends to lag behind in terms of developed country trends, such as the movement to self-check in and biometric scanning for boarding pass control.

“Unfortunately in this area we are slightly playing catch-up, with the digital impact on the business around three-five years behind the developed world,” explains Siva. “At present it is not so much staying ahead of the industry curve, but rather adapting innovations from offshore that we are able to manage from the environment that we operate in.”

Looking forward, it is hoped that through continued developments in the next few years, the airline will be the preferred domestic carrier within the country.

“I’m confident in the fact that our service levels and customer support will be acknowledged as being the best

Building relationships to become the best in the industry

in the industry; building relationships with carriers to provide the most cost effective service in PNG,” concludes Siva. “I also hope that we will be the

employer of choice within the region, with staff that are genuinely proud of the contribution they are making to the development of our country.”

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Jackson’s Airport P.O. Box 170 Boroko National Capital District Papua New Guinea T: +675 7373 7100 E: pngair@pngair.com.pg

www.apng.com

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