The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASA PNG) is hosting its 10th Aviation and Security Conference bringing together key stakeholders in the sector to share updates on safety trends, regulatory progress, and future plans for national aviation development.
The annual conference is being held at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby city from the 27th-28th August and serves as a platform for communication and collaboration between regulators and operators.
This year’s gathering was particularly significant as it aligns with Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary and reflects the nation’s aviation achievements over the past five decades.
“This event allows us to communicate the latest trends in aviation safety and security, much of which stems from our engagement with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” stated 10th PNG Aviation Safety and Security Conference Chair (ASSC) and Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. Benedict Oraka.
The conference brings together 31 licensed air operators including Air Niugini, Tropic Air, MAF, and the Summer Institute of Marine Works—alongside 33 certified maintenance organizations. The National Airports Corporation (NAC) and New Sky Pacific Ltd are also among the key participants in the two-day conference.
Each year, CASA PNG presents safety data and global best practices to these stakeholders, with the objective of enhancing the safety and reliability of air travel across the country.
A major highlight of this year’s event was the discussion of 60 new action items resulting from PNG’s recent engagement with ICAO’s Asia-Pacific Office.
Operators were urged to support CASA P&G in collecting the necessary data to meet these international standards.
Papua New Guinea’s aviation safety and security ratings have improved significantly in recent years.
ICAO’s Effective Implementation (EI) score—a measure of a country’s compliance with international aviation standards—shows that PNG has progressed from a 60.7% implementation score to 80.18%.
In terms of aviation safety specifically, PNG’s rating has jumped from around 35% to 62% within just two years, positioning the country as a regional leader.
“From a safety perspective, we are now ahead of many of our South Pacific neighbors. Out of 39 Asia-Pacific states, Papua New Guinea ranks 12th—a remarkable achievement for our country,” added Mr. Oraka.
With Air Niugini set to welcome new aircraft into its fleet next month, questions about readiness were answered with confidence.
“CASA PNG will provide full support to ensure that Air Niugini and all other operators are ready to introduce these aircraft safely and smoothly,” Mr. Oraka assured.
The aviation sector’s ongoing growth is being matched by national infrastructure improvements.
NAC is enhancing airport facilities, and New Sky Pacific Ltd now operates one of the most advanced air navigation systems in the region.
As PNG celebrates 50 years of independence, the conference also emphasized the aviation sector’s role in national development—particularly for rural communities.
“With most of our population living in remote areas, aviation must help bridge the gap,” Mr. Oraka said.
He said, “We want our work to produce real, tangible outcomes that improve lives, especially in hard-to-reach parts of the country.”
When asked about the biggest challenges facing the sector, the response was optimistic.
“Challenges can be viewed as opportunities. With collaboration and commitment, we can transform them into progress for PNG.”
In closing, CASA PNG called for continued cooperation across the industry to ensure the next 50 years of aviation in PNG are even more transformative than the last.
“Together—with Air Niugini, NAC, New Sky Pacific, and all our partners—we will pursue the greater good for our people. CASA PNG is committed to doing its part to help realize that vision.”
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