The meeting between Acting Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Gary Seddon and his executives with the Palau President, Surangel Whipps Jr in Port Moresby, explored more ways in which the airline company can expand its services to Palau and the pacific. The first Air Niugini PNG/Palau flights commenced in February this year, which saw weekly flights operating every Tuesday from Brisbane via Port Moresby and Koror (Palau) and has continued since. Both parties expressed that there are further opportunities to explore, to promote the sector, build interest and steadily grow passenger volumes. They further added that by connecting Pacific Islands to drive trade and tourism, it provides an opportunity for Air Niugini to strengthen its position as a regional airline, supporting the sixth freedom traffic, which is the right or privilege of operating scheduled international air services via the home state of the carrier to move traffic between the two states. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Air Niugini to participate in an invaluable initiative connecting people across the Pacific. We are honoured to have had the chance to share Air Niugini’s future plans with the President and his delegation,” Mr Seddon said. “This will further be underpinned by Air Niugini’s fleet replacement program.” The sector between PNG and Palau is supported by the Australian Government through an initiative to promote regional connectivity.