PX announces subsidiary establishment

Caption:  Air Niugini Dash 8 aircraft to form the core fleet of Link PNG

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 19, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

NATIONAL flag carrier Air New Guinea limited announced the creation of a subsidiary airline company called ‘Link PNG’, to begin operations to serve local route come November 1, last week in Port Moresby.

The announcement comes after the decision by the national government to partially privatize the Airline in September.

Making the announcement Air Niugini Board Chairman Sir Frederick Reiher said that the creation on the new airline would see the airline’s entire Dash 8 classic fleet and routes transferred to the new company.

He pointed out that the despite the short commencement date of its operations- the new airline would be more service oriented in reaching the people in provincial and even district centers.

“Link PNG will be a smarter, low cost carrier, which will service routes to provincial and district service centers that are currently operated by the Dash 8 classic fleet (200s and 300s versions),” Sir Reiher said.

“It services will ensure that rather than air services be reduced by the ownership restructure of Air Niugini Limited and the injection of Private sector capital, as has occurred in other countries, that they (customers) will be guaranteed an increase.”

“In other words we maintain the services that we have, and improve on them in spite of the ownership restructure that is going to happen, by making it a separate company to operate on its own and not link to the effects of a restructure Air Niugini.”

He said that although wholly owned by the national carrier- Link PNG will operate separately from the existing Air Niugini structure with its own logo, its own board and management, and dedicated staff who will be drawn initially from the airline’s existing employees under an interim arrangement between the two companies.

Reiher also announced the appointment of Daniel Wanma as the inaugural CEO of Link PNG, and the appointment of his senior management team.

“Link PNG will operate from its own offices, alongside the cargo premises, and will have an important and growing role in meeting the community service obligations defined by the national government,” the chairman added.

“The most important aspect of the establishment of Link PNG is that it will guarantee regular, reliable, safe, and affordable services to the more remote parts of the nation where patronage is less than the main domestic routes, which are just as important for the travelling public.”

“The board and management are confident Link PNG will maintain and boost ANG’s enviable record of achieving the highest and uncompromising standards of safety, and reliability and ensure the remote areas are not denied regular air services.”

He stated that the four unions representing the employees of Air Niugini have been briefed on the establishment of Link PNG- welcoming and positive response by the employees and the unions in embracing Link PNG and the ownership restructure of the flag carrier.

“This is a win-win for Air Niugini, our employees, and our customers across Papua New Guinea, and we are also confident it will also be widely welcomed by the community.”