ICCC continues aviation industry inquiry in Mt Hagen

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission [ICCC] is continuing its inquiry into the aviation industry in Papua New Guinea.

Earlier this week, the Commission held a one day Highlands Regional consultation in Mt Hagen, bringing together airline operators, government agencies, regulators and consumer groups to discuss key issues affecting the airline sector.

The inquiry is looking at how the aviation market is operating, including airfares, competition between airlines, fuel supply, and the quality of services provided to passengers.

Speaking at the opening of the consultation, ICCC chief executive officer Roy Daggy said the inquiry is important because air transport plays a critical role in connecting people, businesses and communities across the country.

Daggy said many parts of PNG depend heavily on air services, especially remote and rural areas that have limited road access.

He said the Commission has received complaints from the public about high ticket prices, limited airline choices on some routes, and concerns about reliability and customer service.

“This inquiry will help us understand the real issues affecting the aviation industry and the travelling public, so that we can make proper recommendations to improve competition, affordability and service delivery,” Daggy said.

The inquiry is being conducted under the ICCC’s legal powers to investigate markets that may not be working fairly or efficiently.

During the consultation, stakeholders reviewed a Draft Report prepared by the Commission.

The Draft Report highlights several problems in the aviation sector, including monopoly routes where only one airline operates, high aviation fuel costs, lack of transparency in ticket pricing, and weak consumer protection.

The report also proposed that many cases, passengers have very little choice and are forced to pay high prices to travel.

The ICCC Commissioner said the aim of the inquiry is not to punish the industry, but to find practical solutions that will improve services and reduce costs for the travelling public.

“Our goal is to ensure the aviation market works better for airlines, businesses, and most importantly for ordinary Papua New Guineans who rely on air travel every day,” he said.

The ICCC is now inviting stakeholders and members of the public to provide written submissions on the Draft Report. Submissions will remain open until the 20th of February, 2026.

Meantime, all feedback will be reviewed by ICCC before the final report is completed and presented to the government. The final recommendations are expected to guide future reforms in the aviation sector and help create a more competitive, affordable and reliable airline industry in Papua New Guinea.