Bougainville flag carrier launched

Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama, cutting the ribbon to signify the launch of Bougainville Wings Limited (Image: Supplied)

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has officially launched Bougainville Wings Limited, a major step forward for the region’s aviation sector.

President of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, launched the Bougainville Wings Limited in Buka on Monday.

Bougainville Wings is a joint venture between the ABG and Outback Aviation, with Bougainville holding a 70 percent majority share through the Bougainville Public Investment Corporation Limited.

President Toroama says the launch signals the long-awaited progress in the aviation sector and that the ABG is committed to ensuring the airline is properly established and managed to generate revenue for the government.

Bougainville House of Representatives members pose with President Toroama in front of a Cessna plane at Buka Airport. (Image: Supplied)

ABG Member for Halia Constituency, Patrick Nisira, explains that the arrival of the CESSNAR 208D plane and launching is a result of the then Toroama/Nisira Government's re-establishment of the aviation sector of Bougainville.

Member Nisira says, work will now go ahead in re-establishing and upgrading of airstrips through the region.

He says, it is a positive development that Bougainville must cherish.

Bougainville Wings secured its certificate of airworthiness from CASA PNG last year, and the launch on Monday is a key economic initiative aimed at supporting growth and development in Bougainville.