A SHORTAGE of foreign currency in Papua New Guinea is affecting businesses. The aviation sector is one business that is already affected in its services delivery with Air Niugini cancelling domestic flights this week. Air Niugini, in a statement, stated that due to ongoing deliberations between Puma Energy and the Bank of PNG, Puma had stopped the supply of Jet A1 fuel to the airline. Consequently, the airline was forced to cancel all domestic flights in the afternoon. “Puma has advised that they will continue to refuel international flights as normal,” Air Niugini said. In another statement, the airline said said Air Niugini would resume operating a normal schedule during week after Puma had restored the supply of fuel. Puma Energy PNG country general manager Hulala Tokome said that due to the limited availability of foreign currency in the commercial market, the company was not able to buy from the international markets to supply fuel to airline.
“We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the relevant authorities to ensure security of supply for PNG,” he said. Puma was very vocal about the shortage of currency impacting its ability to source adequate products to sustain supply for its customers. “For several months we have been working closely with various stakeholders to ensure sustainable flows of foreign currency, which is critical to buying fuel on the international market,” Tokome told local media “Unfortunately, due to the limited availability of foreign currency in the commercial market, we are unable to continue maintaining the necessary supply of product to our commercial customers.” Tokome said that the company paid for its crude supplies last year when forex was available in the market. Caught in the airport mayhem because of flight cancellations was second-year student at the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment Jorden Josiah and fellow students and other passengers who were left stranded at the Jackson Airport in Port Moresby yesterday. The Eastern Highlands students were transiting from Kokopo to Goroka. “We could not get on to our flight to Goroka, about 15 of us students. “Air Niugini staff told us that they could not provide accommodation also,” Josiah said. “We have nowhere to go. One of the boys’ relatives is at Nine-Mile, so we might probably spend the night there.” He said it was frustrating to learn of the news that the flights were cancelled. The National / PNGfacts Next : Increased Airfares In PNG Not Within Marape Government's Reach: PM Comments are closed.
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