Kavieng Airport opening deferred

THE Kavieng Airport in New Ireland will be opened on the 03rd of November, 2022, according to Minister for Transport & Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt.In a letter dated 20th, October, 2022 to the Acting Chairman of National Airports Corporation (NAC), Mr Rowland Abaija, the opening was deferred from 22nd of October,2022.Schnaubelt said Prime Minister James Marape has confirmed his availability to officiate as the Guest Speaker at the opening.The minister said Kavieng MP and Treasury Minister Ian-Ling Stuckey has agreed to the rescheduled date of opening whilst Governor of the province, Rt Honorable Grand Sir Julius Chan has been copied accordingly.He said the deferral would give ample time for the Government to secure and release outstanding funding for the Kavieng Airport landowners prior to the occasion.‘’That was the reason we had to defer the opening to sort out outstanding monies for the landowners so that both sides are happy and the official opening of the airport can be done,’’ Schnaubelt said.He urged the acting chairman of NAC Mr Abaija to commence preparation for the opening. A copy of the letter was sent to the Prime Minister James Marape, Governor, Sir Julius, MP for Kavieng Ian-Ling Stuckey, Secretary Prime Minister and NEC Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu, Department of Transport Secretary Roy Mumu and Managing Director Civil Aviation & Safety Authority Benedict Oraka.