Air Niugini is currently facing significant challenges in retaining its staff, particularly pilots and engineers, as highlighted by CEO Gary Seddon during a recent meeting. He emphasized the need to retain Papua New Guinea’s top aviation talent despite competitive offers from international airlines, including higher salaries and better residency options in Australia and New Zealand. Seddon noted a concerning trend, stating that the airline had lost five pilots to Qantas and Jet Star in just one month and mentioned losing avionics engineers and a maintenance engineer to Air New Zealand and Qantas in Perth.
Recognizing these challenges as opportunities, Seddon urged a focus on retaining skilled personnel. In conjunction with staffing issues, State Enterprises Minister William Duma pointed out that the airline’s aged fleet poses additional challenges for competitiveness and sustainability. He revealed that Air Niugini is moving forward with a fleet replacement program initiated in 2023, aiming to replace half of its older aircraft.
The plan includes acquiring 13 new aircraft, comprising 11 Airbus A220 narrow-body jets and potentially two Boeing 787 Dreamliner wide-body jets, with an investment estimated at around K3 billion (approximately US$347 million). Duma indicated that this initiative is supported by significant external funding secured from Export Finance Australia, aimed at strengthening the airline’s operational capacity.
Despite the difficulties arising from fuel price fluctuations and macroeconomic conditions, there is optimism regarding the fleet enhancement and the potential to build a more robust airline model. The introduction of modern aircraft is seen as a crucial step toward fostering a competitive and flexible aviation market in the region.
In summary, while challenges persist in staffing and fleet management, Air Niugini’s proactive approach to fleet modernization reflects a commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities. This strategy not only aims to improve service quality but also presents a hopeful opportunity for the airline’s sustainable growth and resilience in the face of ongoing market demands.
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