Air Niugini airlifts live fish overseas

National Flag Carrier Air Niugini for the first time airlifted live fish out of Port Moresby, on a direct flight to Hong Kong recently.

The airline's initiative marks a significant achievement in the local seafood export capabilities.

This now opens pathways for exporters in the country who are interested in exporting live fish or perishable products overseas, to coordinate with Air Niugini Cargo to ensure all arrangements meet the necessary standards.

Four specialized fish bins or containers, collectively weighing four tones were loaded onto Air Niugini’s Boeing 767 aircraft for a six-hour, forty minutes flight.

The containers are specifically designed for livefish transport, ensuring water quality, oxygen and temperature control.

Air Niugini CEO Gary Seddon emphasized the importance of this development adding that air transport ensures that perishable exports, including live fish, reach global markets swiftly and in optimal condition, minimizing mortality and preserving quality.

In a statement he highlighted that this recent operation represents the first-time live fish by a locally based sea food exporter have been exported directly from Papua New Guinea,.

Mr. Seddon added that whilst Air Niugini has previously facilitated the export of live marine products to Hong Kong, those shipments originated from Australia and transited through Port Moresby.