Air Niugini Resumes Jet Operations To Kieta
January 7, 2019
Air Niugini will resume jet operations to Aropa airport in Kieta, Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), effective tomorrow Tuesday 08th January 2019.
The recommencement of jet operations is made possible following the installation of Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights, which are not only a regulatory requirement, but also required under the strict Air Niugini safety standards. PAPI lights are a visual aid that is generally located beside the runway that provides guidance information to help pilots maintain the correct approach to an airport.
The PAPI light project was jointly funded by National Airports Corporation (NAC) and the Office of the Member for South Bougainville, Hon Timothy Masiu.
The Kieta flights will operate twice weekly from Port Moresby, every Tuesdays and Fridays.
The flights on Tuesday will operate direct from Port Moresby to Kieta and later onto Buka, Rabaul and back to Port Moresby whilst the Friday flight will go from Port Moresby to Rabaul, then Buka, Kieta and back to Port Moresby.
The Kieta flights will be operated by Air Niugini’s Fokker 100 aircraft, which offer a more comfortable and faster journey, and the aircraft feature both economy and business class seats. Air Niugini will be the only airline offering nonstop flights between Port Moresby and Kieta, in addition to offering services between Kieta and Buka and Kieta and Rabaul.
Air Niugini last operated to Kieta from December 2014 to July 2017 using Q400 turboprop aircraft.
Corporate Communications Department
Monday 07th January, 2019