Approved for Release
AN Air Niugini Boeing 737-800 was struck by a ground services vehicle on Friday evening
16th August, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila.
The Air Niugini aircraft had just arrived from Port Moresby.
There were no passengers or crew aboard the aircraft when the incident occurred.
The damage is to the rear lower section of the fuselage, near the cargo door.
Air Niugini Engineering is working with maintenance teams in Manila and Boeing to
assess the damage, approve the repair plan with Boeing and carry out the repair activity.
Air Niugini is in communication with the ground services provider in Manila to
understand how the incident occurred and what steps are being taken to ensure that it is
not repeated. A full investigation is being performed with a report and recommendations
to follow.
Airport airside areas are dangerous given the nature of the activity being undertaken. The
areas are heavily regulated. Everyone operating equipment around aircraft and airports
are trained, experienced and regularly certified.
The ground services handler used by Air Niugini also provide services to major airlines
including Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines and Philippine
Airlines. They have been in operation for over 50 years.
“Ensuring operational safety is our foremost concern. I am grateful that there were no
injuries as a result of this occurrence; however, it is regrettable that our aircraft was
damaged. I await the findings from the inquiry being conducted by my team in
collaboration with the Ground Handler, and I anticipate our aircraft’s return to operation
after the necessary repairs,” stated Gary Seddon, Chief Executive Officer of Air Niugini.
