Air Niugini will resume Fokker jet operations to Tokua airport, Rabaul effective from Saturday, 10th August 2024. The decision to resume flights follows the completion of airport runway repair works by the National Airports Corporation (NAC). With the resumption of jet operations to Rabaul, there will also be changes to Kavieng flight times and aircraft overnight in Hoskins. The Hoskins/Kavieng flight, PX 262 will now be cancelled as well as the Rabaul overnight flight PX206, instead its passengers will be accommodated with Rabaul and Kavieng passengers on flight (PX 4274) and Hoskins passengers on flight PX4244. Flight times out of Kavieng and Hoskins are also retimed to depart early back to Port Moresby with Kavieng flight enroute Port Moresby via Rabaul. Flights between Port Moresby/Buka and Rabaul will also see an upgrade of equipment from Dash 8 to Fokker jet aircraft. For those passengers who have already booked their travel and ticketed, please check with your nearest Air Niugini Sales office, preferred travel agents or call toll free 180 3444 for new flight times for Rabaul, Kavieng and Hoskins. Air Niugini thanks the NAC for completing the runway repairs to enable the resumption of jet operations. It has been over 12 months since Air Niugini was able to operate jet services to Rabaul. This has had a major impact on tourism and trade into and out of East New Britain and is also not the first time the runway was repaired. In 2021, Tokua reopened after runway repairs were undertaken. Unfortunately, due to the poor quality of repair work, and potentially jeopardising the safety of jet operations, Air Niugini chose to downgrade to a smaller Dash8 service. Fit for purpose airport infrastructure is essential to the successful operations of Air Niugini and Tokua hasn’t been fit for purpose for over 2 years. Air Niugini CEO, Gary Seddon stated that using bigger aircrafts can ease travel costs but will require better facilities. “If we can use our larger aircraft, more frequently to airports around the country, Air Niugini could offer more affordable airfares to the traveling public.” “We need good airport infrastructure that can meet the increasing demand for air travel.” Air Niugini expresses its gratitude to its customers for their continuous patience and understanding throughout the disruption to services to and from Rabaul.