PX names new plane ‘Hoskins’

Caption: Air Niugini Chairman Reiher unveils the names with Public Enterprise and State Investments Minister William Duma.





By MATTHEW VARI


Sunday, April 27, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)



WITH the clock winding down to the 7th PNG Games in West New Britain in November this year- national flag carrier Air Niugini has further the focus on the province with the naming of its latest addition in its Fokker 70 fleet to be called Hoskins.

Airline Board Chairman, Sir Frederick Reiher, told those present at the name unveiling of the importance of Hoskins, where the provincial airport is located, and the province as a whole to the airline’s operations.

“This aircraft is the third of nine Fokker 70 aircraft that will join the Air Niugini fleet over the next eighteen months.”

“These faster, more efficient aircraft with superior passenger comfort, will enable the national airline to improve domestic services to key regional centers such as Hoskins, Northern Queensland, and our neighbors in the Pacific region.”

“The naming of this aircraft after this important regional airport and community also reflects the commitment Air Niugini has to maintaining affordable and safe regional airline services right across the nation,” the chairman said.

He said that in support of the 7th PNG Games along with the airline’s community support program, the airline would be the official carrier for all provincial teams attending the games.

“I am proud of our contribution to national development, and to regional development, as the national flag carrier. We are committed to doing even more and that is one reason why we have embarked on the largest fleet upgrading program in our history.”

“As we undertake the massive task of transporting over 7,000 athletes from centers right across Papua New Guinea to the Games our new aircraft will be invaluable – as will the upgrading of the Hoskins airport terminal which we thank the National Government for undertaking.”

West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel thanked Air Niugini for the gesture to name one of its aircraft after Hoskins.

“Christening this aircraft with Hoskins gives my people so much joy and humbleness. Hoskins was one of the site for colonial administration. This naming creates a special bond between our people and the nation’s flag carrier,” Muthuvel said.

“It will also increase the potential for increased travel with the timing right when the province will host the 2015 PNG Games to be hosted in the last week of November.”

“We will be expecting at least 10,000 visitors, this is not a provincial event but a national one I thank ANG for announcing to be the official carrier which is a mammoth task from all 22 provinces.”

The governor also appealed to other entities and the country as a whole to assist his province bring the country together.

“I thank Tkatchenko for encouraging such a small province as WNB to host the national event. It is an opportunity to showcase our province with only two main economic activities in agriculture and tourism.”

“I thank both the national government and sports ministry for the budgetary support and I also appeal to Kumul Holdings to also come out to host this event.”

“I also appeal to everyone to support this event that promotes togetherness and unity and this is the great opportunity to congregate in one place and promote our culture and experience pasin west,” the governor added.