Flying Where No Cars Go
Commercial and charter operator PNG Air is continuing to operate domestically, despite the impact of COVID-19 on air travel, because in Papua New Guinea domestic air services are often the only viable means of transportation.
William Kalipa, general manager for PNG Air’s engineering and maintenance and who manages the airline’s Continuing Airworthiness Management Group (CAMG), says domestic air services are essential because many places are remote due to the country’s mountainous, densely forested terrain combined with limited road and sea ferry infrastructure.
Kalipa says the airline is continuing to receive requests from local governments to fly to more airstrips in remote parts of the country. PNG Air will continue to consider opening routes to new destinations, but the airline does need to do risk assessments of these airstrips, he says. The airline relies on local authorities to develop and maintain the airstrips.