LinkPNG resumes flights to Tari on Monday

The people of Tari and Hela have been urged to take ownership of Tari Airport as it reopens to larger aircraft on Monday.

Hela Provincial Administrator William Bando,National Airports Corporation Deputy Chairman Jerry Agus, Link PNG General Manager Bruce Alabaster and NAC CEO Richard Yopo at the annoucement of resumption of flights to Tari.

Deputy National Airports Corporation chairman Jerry Agus made the call yesterday in front of Hela provincial administrator William Bando, LinkPNG (Air Niugini subsidiary) general-manager Bruce Alabaster, NAC chief executive officer Richard Yopo and contractor Micah Vines of Parohu Engineers..
Tari Airport has been closed to Dash-8 aircraft for the last three months because of ongoing lawlessness in the Hela capital, as well as damage caused by the Feb 26 earthquake.
“Airport infrastructure is important for all of us,” Agus said.
“This is especially so for the citizens of this country.
“Due to the unforgiving terrain of the country, air transport is very important.
“Those of us who already have airports really need to look after them, because airports, and the aerodrome area, is highly-regulated area.
“There must not be any interference or disturbance around the airport area.
“It is very important for all stakeholders, especially the landowners, and people living in and around the airport, to really look this facility.
“National Airports Corporation cannot compromise the safety and security of all our operators who are operating on these airports, and the safety and security of our passengers.
“If we get any reports, or anything of any nature about disturbance of anything around the airport, we have no choice but to put a temporary closure or stop.”
Alabaster said LinkPNG operated by rules and safety.
“As an example, Air Niugini cancelled flights to Buka for quite an extended period of time because the approach lights had been vandalised,” he said.
“It’s the people of Buka who suffered because of that vandalism.
“This is right through across the country.
“If you feel frustration, or feel anger, don’t take it out on the State assets.
“State assets are there for you, your community and wantoks.”
Alabaster commended NAC and the Hela government for making it possible to resume flights to Tari.
“We’ll now recommence flights back into Tari on Monday,” he said.
“Flights are back to normal schedule on Monday.
“We’ll be operating our Dash-8 aircraft back into Tari again.”
Bando thanked NAC and Link-PNG for restoring air services to Tari.
He said the Hela government spent K160,000 to upgrade the airport.
“I appeal to our people to look after airport infrastructure and temporary fencing,” Bando said.
“Bigger things will only happen when we look after smaller things.”