PORT MORESBY – Papua New Guinea Minister for Civil Aviation Alfred Manase has told Parliament that Air Niugini is reaching the required safety standards after a review by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He said it was pleasing that its rating in implementing safety aspects had improved greatly.
“Thanks to the national government’s modernisation programme in the last couple of years,” Manase said.
“As part of that process, ICAO has done a report on the airline safety aspect of PNG and the feedback was positive.
“Previously our effective implementation scores were 50 per cent, but now after the recent implementation, after a review done by ICAO, it has lifted our ratings to 61 per cent.
“The government is proud of that achievement by the Civil Aviation Industry.”
Namatani MP Walter Schnaubelt had queried the safety and security of Air Niugini.
Manase said Papua New Guinea was trying its best to comply with safety standards imposed by ICAO.
“We are striving to further improve Air Niugini’s successful safety performance in close collaboration with ICAO,” he said.
“If there are some aspects of the operations in Air Niugini that relates to compromising, then some of the explanations given by the MP indicating compromises will be taken to the relevant agents to ensure we do not compromise safety. Safety is paramount for everyone.”
