ANG increase Buka capacity
The National Flag Carrier Air Niugini, has increased its passenger and cargo capacity, on its flights to and from Buka, in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Alan Milne in a statement says that this follows the opening of their new Jet A1 aviation fuel refueling facility, on the 30th of September.
Mr. Milne says that the facility, which is owned by Ok Tedi Energy, a subsidiary of Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML), will enable them to carry more passengers and cargo from Port Moresby to Buka and return, because they will now be able to refuel in Buka.
Mr. Milne also says that this is welcome news for the airline, because it improves aircraft efficiency, and it will further benefit communities and businesses, as they head into the festive period.
He also adds that a Fokker 100 was the first plane to refuel in Buka, when the facility was launched, and this saw them immediately clear a backlog of cargo from Port Moresby on that single flight.
Meanwhile, OTML Managing Director, Kedi Illimbit says, the project is part of Ok Tedi Energy’s push to strengthen PNG’s infrastructure, and provide fuel security and certainty.