PNG Air has come onboard as the Official Airline Carrier for the PNG Fashion & Design Week in a one year partnership deal. Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Nancy Nakikus said as Papua New Guineans people’s choice airline, PNG Air flies to more than 20 destinations around the country connecting people, business and industries and supporting the growth of the economy. “And it is with great pleasure that PNG Air now announces our partnership with PNG Fashion & Design Week as the Official Airline Carrier of the platform as of 2nd June 2021”, said Nakikus. PNG Air recognizes the role that PNG Fashion & Design Week plays in providing opportunities to Papua New Guineans especially in the rich and vibrant arts, culture and textiles space. “We recognize that who we are as Papua New Guineans are tied to our culture and always seek to promote this to all who come to our country to experience it”, said Nancy Nakikus. Miss Nakikus said that PNG Air will also transport attendees of the Designer Workshops that will be rolled out later in the year by PNGFDW and provide opportunities for further collaborations with designers and models. “PNG Air’s support to the platform is not new as we have previously sponsored flights for the 2019 Kokopo Runway Show in Kokopo, East New Britain Province which saw emerging designers debut their collections for the first time”, added Nancy. PNG Fashion & Design Week Founder, Mrs Janet Sios said that a lot of sponsors have come onboard to support the PNGFDW Virtual Runway 2021 and we are so thankful. “Thank you PNG Air for coming onboard to be our official airline carrier and after an ongoing negotiation, it has finally happened and I am so thankful for this contract”, said Mrs Sios. The one year partnership commenced immediately with the second round of filming now taking place in Kokopo and Kavieng. The team will travel to Popondetta, Gurney, Goroka and Kundiawa to complete the filming all with PNG Air, the Official Airline Carrier of PNG Fashion & Design Week. “Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a lot of traveling overseas have been cancelled but at least with the PNG Airline partnership, we want to encourage a lot of local tourism to the destinations we have chosen but to many other exotic destinations in Papua New Guinea”, added Mrs Sios. This partnership includes PNG Air flying the PNGFDW Production Team around the country to film the first Virtual Runway Show 2021 with the theme ‘Strongim Kastom Wokabaut’. “I want to say again a special thank you to all of the sponsors during this COVID-19 times we are all finding it difficult but thank you for even just coming onboard and hopefully this partnership makes us realize that we need to come out of depression and the COVID uncertainties together to create a greater Papua New Guinea for us all”, Mrs Sios said. [caption id="attachment_9959" align="alignnone" width="475"] PNG Air's Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Nancy Nakikus and PNG Fashion & Design Week Founder Mrs Janet Sios displaying the signed contract.[/caption]