Services resume

PORT MORESBY – Air Niugini has announced that its services to Honiara, Solomon Islands, has been restored. It had on Tuesday announced the suspension of these services following the withdrawal of services operated and supplied by Solomon Airlines. The airline in a statement advised normal scheduled services were to have recommenced yesterday from Nadi to Honiara and Port Moresby while the Port Moresby/Honiara /Nadi service begins today June 10. “This information supercedes that sent out yesterday (Wednesday) regarding the suspension of Air Niugini Honiara services following the withdrawal of services operated and supplied by Solomon Airlines,” the company’s corporate department had advised.

$34m credit

WASHINGTON – The World Bank’s board of executive directors has approved a $US16.62 million ($F34.62m) credit to the Independent State of Samoa to expand the scope of work under the Samoa Aviation Investment Project, further advancing the objective of improved safety and security of international air transport and associated infrastructure. Samoa’s remoteness and small population means it is highly dependent on air transport to connect the country to larger markets, and to facilitate important industries such as tourism. In 2013, more than 20 per cent of Samoa’s gross domestic product (GDP) was from the travel industry, meaning continued and sustainable investment into aviation infrastructure is vital.

Safety priority

PORT VILA – Vanuatu Minister of Education Jean Pierre Nirua has assured parents that the Ministry of Education and Vanuatu Government is placing highest priority on the safety and the welfare of all Vanuatu students in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This assurance was given after yesterday’s shooting at students mostly from Papua New Guinea by the PNG police during an anti-government protest. “The Council of Ministers was fully briefed by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Vanuatu on the situation in Port Moresby, especially all Vanuatu students studying there.”

Landing aborted

RAROTONGA – Air New Zealand flight NZ46 aborted a landing at Rarotonga International Airport about 3pm on Tuesday local time after running into heavy turbulence and strong winds. The incident was confirmed by Mana Havi, an Airport Authority air traffic controller. Havi said the aircraft, which was carrying 306 passengers was unable to land because of strong wind shear. The aircraft faced heavy turbulence and unexpected winds just before landing.