PX puts up 50,000 seats at half price

Caption:  (L) Minister Micah and Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, September 7, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH the region’s biggest sporting spectacle edging closer by the day- national flag carrier Air Niugini announced the new Tura Fare (named after the official mascot of the 2015 SP Games Tura the Kokomo) will see 50,000 seats made available for passengers at half price.

The 50 percent reduction of the seats will apply to all domestic flights throughout the country starting last week through to 2015 August.

It will see a number of seats within flights allocated the 50 percent discount for customers to purchase.

Air Niugini Board Chairman Sir Frederick Reiher said that the introduction of the Tura Fare is a timely one at that the festive holiday season was fast approaching, along with various huge event spread out throughout the year the fee will run for.

“This launch couldn’t have been better time then today, with the Christmas and New Year holiday period fast approaching- there are significant events taking place at that period in various centers around the country,” Reiher said.

“Namely the 100^th anniversary of World War 1 being celebrated outside of Bita Paka in Kokopo, the Goroko Show in September, the Morobe Show in October, the Canoe and Kundu Festival in Alotau in November, the PNG Games also in November, and then of course the 2015 pacific Game in July 2015.”

“We are proud that even in tough times in the airline industry we are able to launch a scheme that will slash the cost of air travel very significantly for many domestic travelers for one year from today.”

Chairlady of the 2015 SP Games Emma Waiwai congratulated the airline for the initiative, highlighting the huge association Air Niugini has with sports in the country.

“As you know Air Niugini is not new to the games, the partnership goes a long way where our athletes are flown to represent the country in many games abroad and the generous sponsorship and support to the games is known by you all,” Waiwai said.

“The airline’s contribution will be no different come 2015 as it will fly the various athletes, officials and visitors to the country in July next year.”

“It is a wonderful gesture of support of which I know the people of Papua New Guinea who are using our national airline will welcome.”

Public Enterprises and State Investments Minister, Ben Micah praised Air Niugini for what he termed was their strong resilience in the face of scrutiny of many state owned entities.

“As the minister responsible for the airline, the media was making some speculation on the performance of PNG Power which has been has been ongoing for some time- they also raised some issues about Eda Ranu so this announcement today is not only an important announcement for the travelling people of PNG, but it is an important positive thing for Air Niugini as a company and for the state owned enterprises that are struggling to perform in very challenging environment,” Minister Micah said.

“So I want to say that this announcement of making 50,000 seats on our aircrafts available within the next 12 months at 50 percent price is been made when Qantas and Virgin Blue announced just last week of massive losses.”

“So it is an announcement that is made in a challenging environment- not only in our country but in our region and also globally for airlines.”

“I believe it is something that the Air Niugini Board and management have thought out carefully and have been able to work it out as part of the creative and innovative strategy of getting Air Niugini to trade itself post LNG construction period.”