PNG Air suspends flights into Mendi indefinitely

The people of Southern Highlands will return in making the road trips to neighboring Western Highlands for air travel.  

This followed the suspension of flights by the only airline which reintroduced commercial flights to the Southern Highlands provincial capital this year.                                 

In a statement, “PNG Air has been unable to clarify the extent of the security risk in Mendi. There is conflicting information that we are endeavoring to qualify. Complicating matters further is the departure of senior National Airport Corporation staff from the airport which may hinder facility use.

“PNG Air is endeavoring to determine the actual status of security and airport facility preparedness.

“Our decision to suspend flights temporarily continues, in the best interest of safety for our customers.”

The indefinite flights suspension followed an earlier decision by PNG Air to suspend all flights to the Mendi route for the past month due to civil unrest in the area.