SEPANG – KL International Airport (KLIA) now offers connections to Papua New Guinea effective today as Air Niugini, the national carrier of Papua New Guinea made its historic first landing to Malaysian soil.

The carrier starts operating one flight weekly, flying from its hub Port Moresby to KLIA every Wednesday, utilising Boeing 757 type of aircraft with 189 seats configuration.

Dato’ Seri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports said: “Air Niugini’s presence will further enhance the connectivity at KLIA. Furthermore, this is a new market for us, as Air Niugini is the first airline offering connections from the Pacific Islands in the Oceania region to Malaysia and we hope to attract more airlines from the region to fly to Malaysia.”

Dato’ Seri Bashir elaborated: “Air Niugini will be entitled to our incentive programme to ensure their operation is smooth, fruitful and we look forward to their permanent stay in Malaysia.”

“The recently concluded 14th World Routes Development Forum, held for the first time in Asia which Malaysia Airports hosted, will further pave the way for Malaysia Airports to convince new airlines to start flying to Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Bashir added.

October itself has been very fruitful for Malaysia Airports, as apart from Air Niugini, KLIA has also seen the arrival of SilkAir from Singapore. Earlier this year, KLIA welcomed two airlines namely Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia.

In today’s welcome reception, the arriving passengers of flight PX394 from Port Moresby were greeted and presented souvenirs by YB Datuk Seri Panglima Hj. Lajim Hj. Ukim, Deputy Minister of Transport accompanied by Y.Bhg. Dato’ Azmi Murad, Senior General Manager Operation Services of Malaysia Airports. Among the arrival passengers were Minister for State Enterprise, Honorable Arthur Somare-MP, Treasury Minister - Honorable Patrick Pruaitch (MP), Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer - Mr Wasantha Kumarasiri, Managing Director for IPBC - Mr Glen Blake, Civil Aviation Chairman - Mr Rex Paki and heads of various corporate organizations.

Since its inception in 1973 as the national airline of Papua New Guinea, Air Niugini has made it possible to experience the best that Papua New Guinea has to offer. Air Niugini’s modern fleet of aircraft comprises a Boeing B767 and B757 jet for international routes and Fokker F-100, F-28 jets and Dash 8 aircraft that suit the requirements of flying within the unique and challenging Papua New Guinean terrain.

About Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia: 5 international, 16 domestic and 18 Short Take-Off and Landing Ports (STOL Ports). On November 30, 1999, Malaysia Airports became the first airport company to be listed in Asia. KL International Airport (KLIA), its flagship airport was twice voted as the Best Airport (15-25 million passengers per annum) in the 2005 AETRA awards and 2006 ACI-ASQ awards while the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT-KLIA) was named CAPA Low Cost Airport of the Year at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence 2006. Malaysia Airports has also been entrusted to host the 2008 World Route Development Forum (ROUTES), the first airport operator in Asia to be given the honor of hosting this world-class airport-airlines event.

Issued by Corporate Communications Division, Malaysia Airports
For further information on the press release, kindly contact: -
Norliza Kamaruddin (General Manager, Corporate Communications) at 03-78463940 / 019-2000887 / email: norliza@malaysiaairports.com.my, or Faisally Ahmad Rusdy at 03–78407184 / 012–6846575 / email: faisally@malaysiaairports.com.my, or
Noor Hafiza Ruslan at 03-7840 7174 / 012-2114773 / email: hafiza@malaysiaairports.com.my