Private equity firms are increasingly targeting the little-known companies that fix planes for commercial airlines — preying on an industry with already weakened oversight and further stoking aviation safety advocates’ fears. In the past, commercial airlines in the United States did the critical work of inspecting and repairing their fleets in-house, employing teams of mechanics to conduct…
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It happened again. A Chinese pilot flew his aircraft dangerously close to a foreign aircraft, something that is happening with increased frequency.
In the latest incident, on Feb. 19, a Chinese naval helicopter flew within 9 meters (yards) of a small low-flying Cessna Caravan turboprop over Scarborough Shoal that belongs to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Situated 120 miles (192 kilometers) from Luzon, Scarborough Shoal is well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
The previous week, a Chinese J-16 jet fighter made an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction”, releasing at least four flares, 30 meters in front of a Royal Australian Air Force P–8A Poseidon anti submarine aircraft that was flying near the Paracel Islands.
China claims the Australian aircraft “intentionally intruded” into Chinese airspace. A Chinese described the response as “completely reasonable, legal and beyond reproach,” and “a legitimate defense of national sovereignty and security.”
In violation of international law, China has drawn straight baselines around the Paracel and Spratly Islands; something that only archipelagic states are allowed to do under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea.
Countries routinely challenge these excessive maritime claims through naval and aerial freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs).
We have seen a pattern of aggressive behavior from Chinese pilots. An October 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Defense documented some 180 unsafe aerial encounters by Chinese pilots in the previous two years, and over 100 additional encounters with the aircraft of U.S. allies and partners.
That tally was more than all such incidents in the previous decade combined.
Creating unsafe situations
Most U.S. Navy aircraft are now equipped with external cameras to document dangerous Chinese encounters.
One should recount that the April 2001 EP3 incident that caused the emergency landing and a hostage-like situation for the 24 member U.S. Navy crew, was caused by a Chinese pilot who was unaware of the concept of propellers. The J-8II pilot was killed in the crash.
While Chinese pilots are famously aggressive and routinely fly at unsafe and unprofessional close quarters over the South China Sea, the dropping of flares was unseen until around 2022.
While using flares to signal an unresponsive airplane at a safe distance is lawful and a signal of escalatory actions, how the Chinese pilots are employing them now is dangerous, unprofessional, and dramatically escalates the potential for the loss of life.
On Oct. 5, 2023, a Canadian CP-140 reconnaissance helicopter conducting patrols in support of a UN Security Council-authorized sanctions monitoring against North Korea in the Yellow Sea experienced “multiple passes” at five meters (yards).
Three weeks later, a pair of PLA-Navy J-11 fighters made multiple passes at a Canadian helicopter that was conducting routine patrols as the HMCS Ottawa was conducting a FONOP near the Paracel Islands.
The Chinese pilots ejected flares during the second flyby, forcing the Canadian pilot to take evasive action.
In May 2024, PLA-Air Force pilots deployed flares in front of an Australian MH-60-R helicopter that was flying in international waters in support of UNSC-authorized sanctions monitoring against North Korea. The helicopter had to take evasive actions to avoid the flares.
The following month, a Dutch helicopter flying above its destroyer, also in support of the UN sanctions monitoring in international waters in the Yellow Sea, was approached by two Chinese jets and a helicopter, which “created a potentially unsafe situation.”
Flares present risks
There are major risks from using flares. The first is proximity: If a Chinese pilot is close enough to deploy flares in a way that could cause damage, his plane is already flying at an unsafe distance.
Most of the flares used are pyrotechnic magnesium, i.e. a dense mass of inflamed metal that burns at very high temperatures – to perform as decoys for heat-seeking missiles.
These flares pose multiple risks to planes that could lead to the loss of human life.
For planes such as a P-8, they can be sucked into a jet engine intake. For propeller driven planes, such as a P-3 or smaller surveillance craft, a direct hit on the engine could irreparably damage the propeller.
Though the four-engine P-3s and P-8s are both able to fly on one engine, it’s still a risk.
There is a greater threat to the helicopter rotors. Though it is unlikely they could get through the rotor blades and into the filtered intake, it’s not impossible.
Moreover, the skin of many military helicopters is made of magnesium alloys and is itself highly flammable.
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Many surveillance and anti-submarine helicopters fly with open doors, and the last thing the crew wants is a flare, ejected out of a plane at an angle, getting inside an aircraft.
Another concern is an escalatory threat. To some sensors on aircraft, the flares can appear as missiles. This is in an already tense operating environment, when an aircraft’s counter-measures are being controlled automatically in response to its sensors.
Pilots’ perverse incentive structure
There is no need to use flares in this way, but someone, somewhere, in the PLA decided that this is tactically a good idea – and a natural escalatory step from the “thumping” tactics that their pilots routinely conduct.
The use of flares is tied to the aggression that we have long seen from Chinese pilots. In their system, aggressive and unprofessional flying is not only not discouraged, but is actually encouraged.
While there’s no evidence that there’s a PLA-AF directive that requires pilots to make unsafe encounters, it is clearly what is considered “commanders intent” to defend China’s “historical waters and airspace.”
In Chinese military doctrine, this is referred to as “using the enemy to train the troops.”
According to the U.S. Department of Defense’s Center for the Study of the PLA-AF, there is not a single incident that they can point to where a Chinese pilot has faced disciplinary action for aggressive flying.
In short, behavior that would cost a U.S. pilot his or her wings is encouraged by the PLA leadership.
The Chinese Navy and Air Force will continue their coercive and risky operational behavior in the East and South China Seas as they seek to enforce Beijing’s excessive maritime claims, impinging on the sovereign rights of other states or making illegal assertions in international waters and airspace.
A flotilla of PLA-N ships has been sailing some 150 nautical miles east of Sydney, Australia. While such passages are lawful, China’s unprofessional and aggressive tactics are meant to raise the costs to deter other states from flying or sailing where international law permits.
The law for me, not for thee.
Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia.
This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by commentator Zachary Abuza.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
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Donald Trump is blaming DEI for the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in more than two decades, when a regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter collided over a Washington, D.C. airport, killing 67 people. “We have a long list of problems that need to be addressed. … Instead, we’re talking about a nonsensical issue that is not based in fact,” says FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher Bill McGee, who says criticisms of DEI distract from and work against a critical staffing shortage at the FAA. McGee also discusses the dangerous politicization of the FAA and the increasing influence of Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, over the aviation industry.
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
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Solomon Islands has the highest-ranked passport of Pacific Island nations, at 37th equal globally.
This is according to the Henley Passport Index.
The index, organised by a consulting firm that describes itself as “the global leader in residence and citizenship by investment,” releases the list based on global travel freedoms using data from the International Air Transport Association.
The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.
The Solomon Islands passport has access to 134 countries out of 227 on the list.
Samoa and Tonga have access to 131 destinations, while the Marshall Islands has access to 129.
Tuvalu is in equal 41st place with access to 128 countries, while Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau can visit 124 countries visa-free.
Further down the list is Vanuatu with access to 92 countries; Fiji with 90; Nauru, 89 and Papua New Guinea, 87.
Singapore tops the global list, with access to 195 countries, ahead of Japan (193 destinations) and six countries in third equal position – Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Spain (192 destinations).
New Zealand is 5th equal (able to visit 190 countries) and Australia 6th equal (189 countries).
The ranking is the highest for New Zealand since 2017. It peaked at No 4 in 2015 but dipped as low as 8th in 2018 and 2019.
At the tail end of the list are countries including Yemen, Iran and Syria, with Afghanistan at the bottom ranked 106th, with only 26 countries allowing visa-free access.
Incidentally, Australia also has the most expensive passport in the world — with a new adult passport costing A$412 (US$255.30) ahead of Mexico (US$222.82), the USA (US$162.36) and New Zealand (US$120.37).
Henley and Partners said it uses a scoring system.
For each travel destination, if no visa is required for passport holders from a country or territory, then a score with value = 1 is created for that passport. A score with value = 1 is also applied if passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) when entering the destination.
The total score for each passport is equal to the number of destinations for which no visa is required (value = 1).
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
By Anish Chand in Suva
Virgin Australia has confirmed a “serious security incident” with its flight crew members who were in Fiji on New Year’s Day.
Virgin Australia’s chief operating officer Stuart Aggs said the incident took place on Tuesday night – New Year’s Eve
The crew members were in Fiji on night layover.
Fiji police said two crew members had alleged they were raped while out clubbing and one alleged her phone had been stolen.
They had gone out to a nightclub in Martintar.
“I’m sorry to advise of a serious security incident which affected a number of crew in Nadi, Fiji, on Tuesday evening,” said Aggs on New Year’s Day.
“Our immediate priority is to look after the wellbeing of our crew involved and make sure they are supported. The safety and welfare of our people is our number one priority.”
Virgin Australia has kept the crew members in Nadi as police investigations continue.
Republished from The Fiji Times with permission.
Twenty New Caledonian children who suffered the shock of Port Vila’s 7.3 magnitude earthquake have been repatriated from Vanuatu on board a French military CASA aircraft.
The special operation was conducted on Thursday, as part of relief operations conducted by the Nouméa-based French Armed Forces in New Caledonia in response to the destructive quake that shook the Vanuatu capital, where several buildings have collapsed.
The group of children, from northern New Caledonia (Népoui, Koné, Pouembout, and Poia), are aged between 8 and 14.
They were visiting Vanuatu as part of a holiday camp organised by their sports association.
They were supervised by four adults.
One of them, Melissa Rangassamy, told local Radio Rythme Bleu upon arrival in Nouméa that the group was having a picnic on a Port Vila beach when the ground started to shake violently.
“Children were falling to the ground, everyone was falling all around, it was panic. We told the children not to move. At the time, they were in shock.
“We gathered them all, put them on the buses, and went straight up to a higher place,” she said.
“It’s so good to come back home.”
More evacuation flights
The French High Commission in New Caledonia said a special psychological assistance unit was available to anyone who should need help.
More flights to evacuate French nationals would be carried out of Port Vila to New Caledonia, French Ambassador to Vanuatu Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer said.
Vanuatu hosts a significant French community, estimated at more than 3300 French citizens, including from New Caledonia.
New Caledonia is also home to a strong ni-Vanuatu community of about 5000.
One French national confirmed among fatalities
A Vanuatu-born French citizen has been confirmed dead.
He was found under the rubble of one of the hardest-hit buildings in central Port Vila.
He has been identified as Vincent Goiset, who belongs to a long-established, affluent Vanuatu family of Vietnamese origin.
The total death toll from the December 17 earthquake stood at 15 on Friday, but was still likely to rise.
France, Australia and New Zealand: 100 percent ‘FRANZ’
Both Australia and New Zealand, through their armed forces, have deployed relief — including urban search and rescue teams — in a bid to find survivors under the collapsed buildings.
The two countries are part of a tripartite set-up called “FRANZ” (France, Australia, New Zealand).
Signed in 1992, the agreement enforces a policy of systematic coordination between the three armed forces when they operate to bring assistance to Pacific island countries affected by a natural disaster.
As part of the FRANZ set-up, the French contribution included an initial reconnaissance flight from its Nouméa-based Falcon-200 jet (known as the Gardian) at daybreak on Wednesday, mostly to assess the Bauerfield airport.
Port Vila is only 500km away from Nouméa.
Later that day, a French PUMA helicopter transported emergency relief and personnel (including experts in buildings structural assessment, telecom and essential supplies such as water and electricity) to Port Vila to further assess the situation.
The small military CASA aircraft also operated a number of rotations between Nouméa and Port Vila, bringing more relief supplies (including food rations, water, and IT equipment) and returning with evacuees.
The French High Commission also said if needed, a Nouméa-based surveillance frigate Vendémiaire and the overseas assistance vessel d’Entrecasteaux were placed on stand-by mode “ready to set sail from Nouméa to Vanuatu within 72 and 96 hours, respectively”.
Embassies ‘flattened’
Following the Tuesday quake, four embassies in Port Vila (New Zealand, United Kingdom, the United States and France), all under the same roof, had been temporarily relocated to their respective chiefs of mission.
Their offices, once located in a three-storey building, collapsed and were “flattened”, the French ambassador said.
Vanuatu’s caretaker Prime Minister Charlot Salwaï has announced a state of emergency at least until Christmas and the Vanuatu snap election has been postponed from January 14 to 16.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk
New Caledonia’s domestic carrier Air Calédonie is set to launch a biweekly international connection to neighbouring Vanuatu.
The new link is set to start operating from October 3 with two return flights, one on Mondays and the other on Thursdays.
The company said this followed a recent code-share agreement with New Caledonia’s international carrier Air Calédonie international (Air Calin).
The domestic company’s ATR 72-600 planes will be used to link Nouméa’s international La Tontouta airport to Port Vila, the company said.
Air Calédonie said the new agreement to fly to Vanuatu comes at a “difficult time”, almost four months after riots broke out in the French Pacific archipelago.
Seeking new markets
The ongoing unrest has made a huge negative impact on the economy and — because of long periods of curfew and state of emergency — has also heavily impacted domestic and international flights, causing in turn huge losses in business for the airlines.
“This new connection therefore is a vital opportunity to maintain employment and a sufficient level of business that are necessary to the company’s survival”, said Air Calédonie CEO Daniel Houmbouy, who also mentioned a “necessary capacity to adapt and evolve”.
New link to Paris
As part of a stringent cost-cutting exercise, Air Calin has had to cut staff numbers as well as reduce its regional connections.
It is also currently considering putting one of its aircraft on lease.
However, Air Calin is also preparing to launch a new direct Paris-Nouméa connection, via Bangkok, sometime in 2025, using a 291-seater Airbus A330-900neo on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The company is currently recruiting 12 pilots and 20 navigating flight assistants who would be based mainly in Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
Here again, the plan is directly connected to New Caledonia’s unrest and its impact on the economy.
“It’s all about continuing to generate an acceptable level of revenue to be able to bear fixed costs, in response to the consequences of the local economic context’s recent upsets”.
On a similar destination, Air Calin has also recently opened another connection via Singapore.
But regional routes have also been affected, sometimes suspended (Melbourne), sometimes significantly contracted (Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Papeete).
As part of the restructuration, the new long-haul route via Bangkok would effectively replace the older connection to Paris via Tokyo-Narita.
Collateral damage for fishing industry
This has already caused major concerns from local fishing industry stakeholders, especially those exporting extra fresh tuna directly to Japan by plane.
“This will directly threaten the future of our industry. The repercussions will be catastrophic both in terms of employment in our industry and for [New Caledonia’s] economy,” commented Mario Lopez, who heads local tuna fishing company Armement du Nord, writing on social networks.
He said what was at stake was “300 to 400 tonnes of yellowfin sashimi-grade tuna which until now were sent each year for auction on Japanese markets”.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
The federal government has dished out $13.5 million to 12 aviation projects focusing on the use of technology to improve farming efficiency, industry sustainability and the delivering of essential goods to remote locations. A number of the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships projects will look at the use of automated drones to deliver life-saving supplies to…
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Local sustainable aviation fuel industry hopefuls will continue waiting for a signal on how the Albanese government will build supply and demand, after a new consultation paper was unresolved on a key mandate for use over cheaper conventional fuels. There is currently no commercial-scale production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Australia, but the CSIRO…
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By Maia Ingoe, RNZ News journalist
A NZ Defence Force plane carrying 50 New Zealanders evacuated from New Caledonia landed at Auckland International Airport last night.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it would be working with France and Australia to ensure the safe departure of several evacuation flights amid civil unrest in the island state.
The efforts came as RNZ Pacific’s French Pacific correspondent Patrick Decloitre reported that President Emmanuel Macron would be flying to New Caledonia within hours to install a “dialogue mission” in the French Pacific dependency in the wake of violent riots for the past eight days.
The first flight took off from the capital of Nouméa after a short turnaround at Magenta local airport at 7pm, and landed in Auckland at about 10pm.
Those arriving to Auckland Airport on the NZ Defence Force plane said they were relieved to be back.
Many reunited with loved ones, while others were sent onto hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Chris and Mike Riley were arriving back from New Caledonia from what was meant to be a week-long trip.
‘Fireworks and gunfire’
Chris Riley said they heard lots of explosions, fireworks and gunfire from where they were.
“We were in a lovely place actually, it was quite peaceful, but we were trapped because we couldn’t get through because of all the troubles that were there,” she said.
Mike Riley said they were both relieved to be home.
“We’re not in a hurry to go anywhere apart from Kerikeri,” he said.
Carl, who did not provide a last name, was in a tourist area of New Caledonia for the past two weeks, which he said was sheltered from the riots.
He said it felt great to get on the Defence Force flight.
“It was a bit of a different type of trip back to New Zealand, but it was fun.”
La Tontouta still closed
Noumea’s La Tontouta International Airport remains closed.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the New Zealanders on the flight would have had a security escort to the airport.
Pacific Island nations were among those which had sought New Zealand’s help to evacuate citizens, he said.
Peters said there would be more flights over the next few days to get all 250 New Zealanders out of the French Pacific territory, which has been in the grip of riots and political unrest between anti- and pro-independence groups.
He hoped another flight would leave for New Caledonia this morning.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
A Māori supporter of Pacific independence movements claims the French government has “constructed the crisis” in New Caledonia by pushing the indigenous Kanak population to the edge, reports Atereano Mateariki of Waatea News.
A NZ Defence Force Hercules is today evacuating about 50 New Zealanders stranded in the French Pacific island territory by riots that broke out last week over a plan to give mainland settlers voting rights after 10 years’ residence.
Sina Brown-Davis from Kia Mau Aotearoa said Kanak leaders had worked patiently towards independence since the last major flare-up in the 1980s, but the increased militarisation of the Pacific seemed to have hardened the resolve of France to hang on to its colonial territory.
“Those rights to self-determination, those rights to independence of the Kanak people as an inalienable right are the road block to the continued militarisation of our region and of those islands,” she said.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
A New Zealand government plane is heading to New Caledonia to assist with bringing New Zealanders home.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today confirmed it was the first in a series of proposed flights.
Peters said the flight would carry around 50 passengers with the most pressing needs from Nouméa to Auckland.
Passengers for subsequent flights will be prioritised by consular staff.
“New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days — and bringing them home has been an urgent priority for the government,” Peters said.
“We want to acknowledge the support of relevant authorities, both in Paris and Nouméa, in facilitating this flight.”
Peters said the situation in New Caledonia was “dynamic” and New Zealand officials were working with French counterparts and other partners, like Australia, to learn what was needed to ensure safety of their people there.
“In cooperation with France and Australia, we are working on subsequent flights in coming days.”
Update SafeTravel details
Peters said New Zealanders in New Caledonia were urged to make sure their details on SafeTravel were up to date.
This would allow officials to be in touch with further advice.
Meanwhile, a New Zealander desperate to return home said it was heartening to know that a flight was on its way.
Barbara Graham, who was due to fly home from a research trip in New Caledonia on Monday, had been on holiday there with her husband and six-year-old son last month.
She said she was desperate to get home to them, but knew others were in greater need.
“It’s really really heartening to hear that the flights have started and I’m extremely pleased they’re prioritising the people that really really need to get home, you know parents and children.
“I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like if my son had still been here in this situation.”
A nearby bakery was selling rationed bread to residents and visitors, Graham said.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
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New Caledonia’s Tontouta International Airport remains closed, and Air New Zealand’s next scheduled flight is on Saturday — although it is not ruling out adding extra services.
Air NZ’s Captain David Morgan said on Monday evening flights would only resume when they were assured of the security of the airport and safe access for passengers and staff.
Later, the airline said its “next scheduled service is Saturday, May 25. However, we will continue to review this and may add capacity when the airport reopens”.
AirCalin said tonight Tontouta airport would be closed until May 23.
The capital descended into chaos last Monday, after riots protesting against a controversial new bill that would allow French residents who have lived there for more than 10 years to vote — which critics say will weaken the indigenous Kanak vote.
At least six people have been killed, and more than 230 people have been arrested.
A NZ Defence Force Hercules is on standby to bring 250 Kiwis home, but it is awaiting clearance from French authorities.
Clearing roadblocks
Hundreds of armed French police have been using armoured vehicles to clear protesters and roadblocks between the international airport and Nouméa.
The risky route — which stretches for about 50 km north of the capital — is the key reason why the airport remains closed.
Emma Roylands, a Kiwi studying at the University of New Caledonia, said the nights on campus had been stressful.
“We’ve set up a sense of a roster, or a shift, that watches over the night time for the university, and this high-strung suspicion from every noise, every bang, that is that someone coming to the university,” she said.
Roylands said she was not sure if the French police would be able to successfully clear the main road to the airport.
“Clearing the road for an hour north seems like an impossible task with these rioters,” she said.
Shula Guse from Canterbury, who was on holiday with her partner and friends, said many shops were running low on stock.
‘Nothing on the shelves’
“The shops are closed or if they’re open they have empty shelves, the local corner dairy has nothing on the shelves,” she said.
Guse said she managed to buy some flour and yeast from a local pizza shop and had started making her own bread.
She said her group had flights rebooked for tomorrow — but there had been no confirmation from Air New Zealand on whether it would go ahead.
Guse, whose friends were running low on heart medication, said they would have to make other plans if it fell through.
“When today is finished, and we haven’t heard any news, then we might start tomorrow looking for more medication, more food, just to make sure we have enough.”
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said the NZDF Hercules was ready, as soon as French authorities gave permission.
When asked whether the Navy would be deployed, MFAT said its focus was on flight repatriation.
RNZ asked whether New Zealand would consider helping evacuate people from other Pacific countries who were stranded in New Caledonia. MFAT said it had been engaging with Pacific partners about the crisis.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was unable to put a timeframe on how soon New Zealanders could return.
He said they were continuing to explore possible options, including working alongside Australia and other partners to help get New Zealanders home.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
This post was originally published on Radio Free.
By Lauren Crimp , RNZ News reporter
New Zealanders stuck among riots and civil unrest in New Caledonia’s capital say they feel abandoned by their own country, having received little help from the government.
Nouméa descended into chaos on Monday, with clashes between indigenous Kanak pro-independence protesters and French security forces.
They were sparked by anger at a proposed new law that would allow French residents who have lived there for more than 10 years to vote — which critics say will weaken the Kanak vote.
Since then, five people have died, including two police officers, and hundreds have been injured in the French Pacific territory.
Late on Friday there were reports of clashes between police and rioters around a domestic airport near Nouméa, as New Caledonia’s capital entered its fourth night under curfew.
Local media reported rioters on the airfield at Magenta airport threw hammers and stones at police, and police responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
Police warned the military was authorised to use lethal weapons if they could not contain the situation otherwise. A local told RNZ Pacific the Kanaks were not going to back down, and things could get “nasty” in the coming days if the army could not contain the crisis.
New Zealanders feeling marooned
Four friends from North Canterbury landed in Nouméa on Monday as part of a “lifetime dream” trip.
Shula and Wolf Guse, and Sarah and William Hughes-Games, were celebrating Shula’s birthday and Sarah and William’s 40th wedding anniversary.
But fresh off their flight, it became clear their celebrations would not be going ahead.
“As we left the airport, there were blocks just everywhere . . . burning tyres, and people stopping us, and lots of big rocks on the road, and branches, and people shouting, waving flags,” Shula Guse said.
They wanted to get out of there, but had barely heard a peep from New Zealand government organisation SafeTravel, Sarah Hughes-Games said.
“All they’ve done is send us a . . . general letter, nothing specific,” she said.
“We’ve contacted the New Zealand Consulate here in Nouméa, and they are closed. This is the one time they should be open and helping people.”
It was not good enough, she said.
“We’ve basically been just abandoned here, so we’re just feeling a little bit fed up about the situation, that we’ve just been left alone, and nobody has contacted us.”
It was unclear when they would be able to leave.
Struggling to find food
Meanwhile, another person told RNZ they had family stuck in Nouméa who had registered on SafeTravel, but had heard nothing more from the government. They were struggling to find food and were feeling uneasy, they said.
“They don’t know where to go now and there seems to be no help from anywhere.”
Air New Zealand confirmed it was forced to cancel its upcoming flights between Nouméa and Auckland on Saturday and Monday, with the airport in Nouméa closed until at least Tuesday.
“Even when the airport does reopen, Air New Zealand will only operate into Nouméa when we can be assured that the airport is safe and secure, and that there is a safe route for our ground staff and customers to reach the airport,” it said.
MFAT in ‘regular contact’ with impacted New Zealanders
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it had activated its emergency crisis system, and consular officials in Nouméa were in regular contact with impacted New Zealanders, New Caledonia authorities, and “international partners”.
The Consulate-General was open, but staff were working remotely because it was hard to get around, it said. Those who needed immediate consular assistance should contact the 24/7 Consular Emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20.
“An in-person meeting was held for a large group of New Zealanders in Nouméa yesterday [Thursday, 16 May 16] and further meetings are taking place today,” a spokesperson said.
“Consular officials are also proactively attempting to contact registered New Zealanders in New Caledonia to check on their situations, and any specific health or welfare concerns.
“Regular SafeTravel messages are also being sent to New Zealanders — we urge New Zealanders to register on SafeTravel to receive direct messages from consular officials.”
The ministry was also speaking regularly with New Caledonian authorities about airport operations and access, and access to critical supplies like food and medicine.
“New Zealanders in New Caledonia should stay in place and avoid all protests, monitor local media for developments, and comply with any instructions and restrictions issued by local authorities.”
There are currently 219 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in New Caledonia.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report the government was doing all it could to get New Zealanders home.
That could include using the Air Force, he said.
The Defence Force confirmed there had been discussions with officials.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
Air New Zealand has confirmed Nouméa’s Tontouta International airport in New Caledonia is closed until Tuesday.
The airline earlier told RNZ it would update customers as soon as it could.
Earlier today, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report government officials had been working on an “hourly basis” to see what could be done to help New Zealanders wanting to leave.
That included RNZ Air Force or using a commercial airline.
More than 200 New Zealanders were registered as being in the French Pacific territory. His advice to them was to stay in place and keep in contact.
A 12-day state of emergency was declared in the territory, at least 10 people were under house arrest, and TikTok has been banned.
RNZ Pacific said there were food and fuel shortages as well as problems accessing medications and healthcare services.
Biggest concerns
Before the closure of the airport, Wellington researcher Barbara Graham — who has been in Nouméa for five weeks — said the main issue was “the road to the airport . . . and I understand it still impassable because of the danger there, the roadblocks and the violent groups of people”.
Airlines were looking to taking bigger planes to get more people out and were working with the airport to ensure the ground crew were also available, Graham said.
She said she was reasonably distant from the violence but had seen the devastation when moving accommodation.
Wellingtonian Emma Royland was staying at the University of New Caledonia and hoped to wait out the civil unrest, if she could procure enough food.
“Ideally the university will step in to take care of us, ideally although we must admit that the university themselves are also under a lot of hardship and they also will be having difficulties sourcing the food.”
The couple of hundred students at the university were provided with instant noodles, chips and biscuits, Royland said.
She went into town to try and find food but there were shortages and long queues, she said.
“It probably is one of my biggest concerns is actually being able to get into the city, as I stand here I can see the smoke obscuring the city from last night’s riots and it is a very big concern of being able to get that food, that would be the only reason that I would have to leave New Caledonia.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
This post was originally published on Radio Free.
Myanmar civil society organization Blood Money has launched a campaign to stop the global sale of aviation fuel to the country’s junta, citing the deadly impact of military airstrikes on the civilian population.
In recent months, the military has increasingly turned to air power after suffering a number of losses on the ground in its fight against rebel groups around the country, often with devastating effect to communities caught in the crossfire.
Since the February 2021 coup d’etat until the end of December 2023, the military carried out more than 1,650 airstrikes, killing nearly 1,000 people and injuring more than 900, according to data from the Nyan Lin Thay research group. Around 30 hospitals and 75 schools were damaged in the attacks, the group said.
Blood Money kicked off its “Global Campaign” on March 10, urging individuals and organizations at home and abroad to join its fight to end aviation fuel sales to the junta.
A leading organizer of the campaign said he expects it will have a major effect on the junta’s ability to wage war. But he acknowledged that it would “have a gradual impact instead of immediate effect,” speaking to RFA on condition that he only be identified as “Mike” due to security concerns.
In addition to lobbying efforts to stem the flow of fuel to the junta, Mike said Blood Money will also work with local communities to prevent casualties from airstrikes.
The group joins efforts to ban fuel sales to the junta by the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, whose spokesman Kyaw Zaw told RFA it hopes to spearhead a binding resolution at the United Nations Security Council.
“In addition to [targeting] the companies importing jet fuel to Myanmar, we are trying to put pressure on companies that sell insurance for jet fuel cargo vessels shipping to Myanmar,” he said.
Data compiled by RFA found that between the coup and the end of January this year, airstrikes and artillery attacks killed 1,429 people and injured 2,641 others. The figures include 149 civilians killed and 267 injured in January alone.
Attempts by RFA to contact junta spokesman Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the campaign went unanswered Thursday. The junta has said it does not intentionally target civilians.
Air force ‘crucial’ for junta
On Aug. 23, 2023, the United States and Britain announced sanctions against companies that import jet fuel to the junta, but the military has continued to carry out airstrikes on a near-daily basis.
London-based rights group Amnesty International announced on Jan. 30 that its researchers had documented new ways that the junta is skirting sanctions. The group said that aviation fuel was shipped directly from Vietnam to Myanmar at least seven times last year.
Khin Ohnmar, the founder of Progress Voice, which is participating in Blood Money’s campaign, said that a shift in policy by governments and international bodies, such as the U.N. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,or ASEAN, is “vital for the movement to have effect.”
“We need to make clear their responsibilities in terms of political will and international law,” she said.
Other observers said that targeting fuel shipments will both help end the junta’s harming of civilians and loosen its grip on power.
“The air force is really crucial for the military regime, so [this] is a good targeted campaign,” said Thomas Kean, the International Crisis Group’s Brussels-based senior consultant on Myanmar.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that ending fuel sales entirely will be difficult, due to nations such as Russia, China, Thailand, and India, which are unwilling to impose sanctions on the junta.
In February 2022, former U.S. Rep. Tom Andrews, who serves as U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said in a report to the U.N. Security Council that countries should stop selling arms to the junta, citing a brutal crackdown on civilians since the coup.
The report called out permanent Security Council members China and Russia, as well as India, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, Serbia, Pakistan and South Korea, for selling the weapons, which Andrews said are almost certainly being used by the military to kill innocent people.
Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by By RFA Burmese.
This post was originally published on Radio Free.
PNG Post-Courier
Papua New Guinea’s national airline flight from Port Moresby to Cairns today was operated by an all female Air Niugini crew in recognition of International Women’s Day.
With the day’s theme of “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress”, the national airline continues its progress in equal participation for all women within the organisation, whether it be on the ground or in the sky.
The flight was under the command of Captain Beverly Pakii (inset) with First Officer Chantilly Padigaga. and assisted in the cabin by Jarmilah Mileng, Mimijanna Mabone and Magdalene Lapana.
In January, Captain Pakii became the first female pilot in Air Niugini and Papua New Guinea to captain a jet aircraft after attaining her command on a Fokker jet aircraft.
With this achievement, it enabled her to command or captain flights on the Air Niugini domestic and international network that are operated by Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 aircraft.
Her first commercial flight was on January 4 this year on a Fokker 100 aircraft flight from Port Moresby to Lae and return.
Republished with permission.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
Returning as the largest exhibitor at this year’s Singapore Airshow, ST Engineering is set to showcase its latest and innovative advancements, presenting cutting-edge technological solutions that redefine the Aviation, Defence and Smart City sectors. Embodying the Group’s extensive engineering and multi-disciplinary capabilities, the showcase demonstrates the breadth and depth of its proven solutions that meet […]
The post ST Engineering Showcases Tech and Innovation Advancements at Singapore Airshow 2024 appeared first on Asian Military Review.
This post was originally published on Asian Military Review.
A company developing a hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft in western Sydney secured $5.4 million in funding from the federal government’s independent renewable energy agency on Wednesday to accelerate the design, build and certification activities for its vehicles. Sydney Bankstown Airport-based AMSL Aero’s aircraft is the first hydrogen powered aviation project supported by the Australian…
The post ARENA awards its first hydrogen aircraft grant appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
Hydrogen-powered airplanes are unlikely to be used widely until at least 2035, while broad deployment of electric-powered planes will only begin in the 2030s, according to a new report by the federal government. The Aviation Green Paper was released by Transport minister Catherine King on Thursday and outlines expected trends in the sector out to…
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Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama today condemned a visiting Papua New Guinean member of Parliament for “mocking” the autonomous province’s independence aspirations during a drunken exchange in Buka last week, saying that he must “atone for his blunder”.
A video of Ijivitari MP David Arore allegedly abusing security guards and airport staff while getting ready to board a plane out of Buka last Friday has stirred wide condemnation by national and Bougainville leaders.
“Let us take this criticism in our stride and use this as motivation to continue to develop and progress,” President Toroama said in a statement, adding that sovereignty was “rightfully ours to claim”.
“We are a people who have withstood tougher challenges than the words of a drunken man,” he said.
Arore’s visit to Bougainville was part of a delegation led by the Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Mannaseh Makiba. The visit was to help national MPs better understand the autonomous arrangements on Bougainville and meet local leaders and the people.
Toroama said the trip was a success but strongly criticised the behaviour of MP Arore, saying he did not have the “right to use it to insult our leaders and our people”.
“Sovereignty is rightfully ours to claim, we have paid for it with the unfair exploitation of our resources, our lives and the blood of the people who sacrificed their lives fighting for their freedom in an unjust war,” President Toroama said, referring to the now-closed rich Panguna copper mine and the decade-long civil war over the exploitation and environmental degradation.
Unfair comparison
It was unfair for Arore to even compare infrastructure development on Bougainville to that of the rest of the country because Bougainville was a post-conflict region that was only now “steadily gaining traction on development and peace”.
“Bougainville bankrolled PNG’s independence and set the very foundation for every form of development in this country,” President Toroama said.
“Subsequently, we had a war waged on our people by the very same government we built.
“You [Arore] can mock our shortcomings in development but do not mock the sanctity of our aspirations to be an independent nation.”
President Toroama thanked Bougainvilleans who witnessed Arore’s “tirade of insults” directed at the Air Niugini and National Airports Corporation (NAC) staff for “maintaining civility”.
“In this respect we proved that despite his inebriated state and the discourteous behaviour our people still showed respect for the office that he occupies as a national leader.”
But President Toroama called for an investigation, saying Arore “understands our Melanesian traditions” and he was “stlll subservient to the law”.
Minister apologises
A PNG Post-Courier report by Gorethy Kenneth and Miriam Zarriga said the delegation leader, Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makibe, had apologised for the behaviour of MP Arore.
“We left in good note. However, such behaviour by an MP is wrong and unacceptable,” Makiba said.
“We will not allow the unfortunate incident to deter the progress we have made and good working relationship we have with Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) leadership and people.
“We were not aware of this incident until now. Generally, our visit was well appreciated by ABG.
“I apologise for Mr Arore’s behaviour.”
According to reports, Arore insinuated that Bougainville’s independence was “not negotiable”, among other derogative comments he made at that time.
Arore told the Post-Courier he would not apologise as what he had said was not intended to upset Bougainville, its people and the leadership.
“I will not apologise. I have nothing to apologise for because I did not say something wrong, I did not abuse anyone and there was no commotion,” Arore claimed.
“All I said was, ‘Yumi laik kisim independence (if we want independence), yumi stretim balus na stretim hausik (we must fix our airport and our hospital)’.
“I said these same sentiments in Manus, where I said to the leaders there, ‘Manus has a big and very good airport but the town is in shambles’.
“I think we have made this very minor issue a very big one.”
‘We’ll have him arrested’
Police Commissioner David Manning said the incident of a MP allegedly drunk and disorderly on a flight would be investigated with him waiting on NAC and Air Niugini for a report and complaint.
“We will have him arrested. We are awaiting the NAC and Air Niugini,” he said.
Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt said: “He (Arore) was also allowed to board the plane drunk, which is a security breach.
“So (we are) getting a report from our team on the ground so further preventative action can be taken. This sort of behaviour must not be tolerated, and we leaders must lead by example at all times.”
MP Arore is a member of PNG’s parliamentary law and order committee.
In 2019, a non-binding independence referendum was held in Bougainville with 98.31 percent of voters supporting independence from Papua New Guinea.
Report compiled from Bougainville News and the PNG Post-Courier with permission.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has released a new video about New Zealand hostage pilot Philip Mehrtens and a Papuan news organisation, Jubi TV, has featured it on its website.
The Susi Air pilot was taken hostage on February 7 after landing in a remote region near Nduga in the Central Papuan highlands.
In the video, which was sent to RNZ Pacific, Mehrtens was instructed to read a statement saying “no foreign pilots are to work and fly” into the Papuan highlands until the West Papua is independent.
He made another demand for West Papua independence from Indonesia later in the statement.
Mehrtens was surrounded by more than a dozen people, some of them armed with weapons.
RNZ Pacific has chosen not to publish the video. Other New Zealand news services, including The New Zealand Herald, have also chosen not to publish the video.
Jubi TV item on YouTube
However, Jubi TV produced an edited news item and published it on YouTube and its website.
Previously, a West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) spokesperson said they were waiting for a response from the New Zealand government to negotiate the release of Mehrtens.
A Papua independence movement leader, Benny Wenda, and church and community leaders last month called for the rebels to release Mehrtens.
Wenda said he sympathised with the New Zealand people and Merhtens’ family but insisted the situation was a result of Indonesia’s refusal to allow the UN Human Rights Commissioner to visit Papua.
The latest video featuring NZ hostage pilot Philip Mehrtens. Video: Jubi TV
According to Jubi News, the head of Cartenz Peace Operation 2023, Senior Commander Faizal Ramadani, says negotiations to free Mehrtens, who is held hostage by a TPNPB faction led by Egianus Kogoya, has “not been fruitful”.
But Commander Ramadani said that the security forces would continue the negotiation process.
According to Commander Ramadani, efforts to negotiate the release of Mehrtens by the local government, religious leaders, and Nduga community leaders were rejected by the TPNPB.
“We haven’t received the news directly, but we received information that there was a rejection,” said Commander Ramadani in Jayapura on Tuesday.
“The whereabouts of Egianus’ group and Mehrtens are not yet known as the situation in the field is very dynamic,” he said.
“But we will keep looking.”
Republished with permission from RNZ Pacific and Jubi TV.
A West Papuan independence movement leader, Benny Wenda, says the release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens held hostage by armed rebels is out of his hands.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) fighters kidnapped Mehrtens on February 7 after he landed a small commercial passenger plane in Nduga regency.
The group then burned the Indonesian-owned Susi Air plane and demanded the New Zealand government negotiate directly for Merhtens’ release.
Exiled Wenda is president of the peaceful United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
He told RNZ Pacific he did not condone the actions of the liberation army rebels and had called for them to release the pilot peacefully.
He said he sympathised with the New Zealand people and Merhtens’ family but insisted the situation was a result of Indonesia’s refusal to allow the UN Human Rights Commissioner to visit West Papua.
“Because the place where it’s actually happening is where hundreds of thousands [of indigenous Papuans] have been displaced from 2018 up to now — in Nduga, Intan Jaya, Mybrat and also Oksibil,” Wenda said.
‘Warning to Indonesia’
“So this happening right now is a warning to Indonesia to let the UN High Commissioner visit which they have been ignoring these last three years.”
“We are not enemies [with New Zealand]. We are very good,” Wenda said.
“New Zealand is a very strong supporter of West Papua.
“I do not think the [TPNPB] group can harm the pilot unless Indonesia uses the situation to do harm. That is my concern.”
He said Indonesia should consider TPNPB’s demands.
Wenda is leading a delegation from the ULMWP that is currently in Fiji ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The group has observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and is lobbying to become a full member.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
An indigenous Papuan negotiation team has traversed rugged highlands forests in the Indonesian-ruled Melanesian province in search of the New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens, who was taken hostage by rebels last week.
The crisis over the captive pilot held by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) led by Egianus Kogoya has entered day eight.
Papua Police chief Inspector-General Mathius Fakhiri said his party had sent a negotiation team consisting of indigenous people and several influential figures in Nduga regency to meet the armed group.
Inspector Fakhiri said the team had walked to the hideout location where Mehrtens was being held hostage.
“Please give us time as the team went there on foot. It will take one to two days to cross the river and pass through such difficult topography,” he said in a written statement.
“We hope they can arrive safely.”
On February 7, the TPNPB rebels set fire to a Susi Air plane with call sign PK-BVY that landed at an airstrip in Paro district.
“TPNPB has officially released photos and videos with the New Zealand pilot, and the pilot is in good health,” said Sambom
Local government help
TPNPB also claimed to have captured and held hostage pilot Mehrtens.
Fakhiri hoped that communication could be established between the negotiation team and Kogoya’s group so that Mehrtens could be released immediately.
He also hopes that the involvement of the Nduga Regency local government in the search for Philip Mark Mehrtens would be “fruitful”.
“We asked for help from the Nduga Regent and his people because they know the Nduga area best. They are ready to help, and there are also lawmakers who joined the team to negotiate with the TPNPB,” Inspector Fakhiri said.
Meanwhile, Susi Air operations director Melinasary said that the burning of the aircraft and the hostage taking of Philip Mark Mehrtens would not force the airline to withdraw from Papua.
She said Susi Air had been assisting development in Papua since 2006, pioneering flights and providing health assistance and medicines for the community.
“With this incident, we will not stop flying in the Papua region. But please give us protection,” Melinasary said.
Melinasary added that Susi Air would provide support in the search for pilot Mehrtens.
Logistics help
“We have provided flights for the search process and logistical assistance in the form of food in the search for our pilot,” she said.
On Tuesday, TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom released photos and videos of the Susi Air plane burning.
Sambom also released a video showing Philip Mehrtens with TPNPB Ndugama leader Egianus Kogoya.
“TPNPB has officially released photos and videos with the New Zealand pilot, and the pilot is in good health,” said Sambom
He also said that the pilot was a guarantee of political negotiations between TPNPB and Indonesia.
In the video circulating, Philip Mehrtens stood among TPNPB members and stated that Indonesia must recognise Papua’s independence.
Also in the video, Egianus Kogoya said his party would release the pilot if Papua was recognised as a free nation.
“Indonesia must admit that Papua is independent. We Papuans have long been independent,” Kogoya said.
Republished from Jubi News with permission
By Kate Green , RNZ News journalist
A former New Zealand pilot says flying for an Indonesian airline can be dangerous, and those who do so are warned to take precautions in Papua.
This comes it was reported last night that a New Zealander, working as a pilot for Susi Air, was taken hostage by pro-independence fighters in West Papua.
Reuters reported that the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the pilot would not be released until the Indonesian government acknowledged the independence of West Papua.
The pilot was identified by Reuters as Captain Philip Merthens.
It is still unclear what happened to the five passengers reportedly on board, but the plane is said to have been set alight by the fighters.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told RNZ today that New Zealand officials in Indonesia were working on the case.
He said while standard practice was to give hostage situations minimal airtime, he could confirm the New Zealand Embassy was aware of the situation, and he would be receiving a full briefing.
Support for family
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the New Zealand Embassy was providing consular support to the family, but for privacy reasons it would not be commenting further.
A former New Zealand pilot, who flew for Susi Air for just over a year ending in 2017, said pilots were warned by the airline to take precautions in Papua — things such as keeping a low profile, travelling in groups, finding a driver to take them around, and not leaving the compound at night.
Susi Air was known for flying government-commissioned “perintis flights” — pioneer flights — carrying mostly freight to remote areas of Indonesia, he said.
These were subsidised by the Indonesian government, intended to open up regional development.
Susi Air was founded by a former Indonesian Fisheries Minister, Susi Pudjiastuti.
All of this combined to make Susi Air near-synonymous with the Indonesian government.
The pilot who spoke to RNZ said the airline still ran the largest fleet of passenger-carrying Cessna Caravans in the world, and flew all around the Indonesian islands, including to Papua.
Mostly freight
Susi Air flights carried mostly freight, flying from tiny regional towns into main centres, picking up coffee beans, sugar, rice, and bringing in daily goods like washing powder
According to online reports, including aviation-safety.net, the plane flown by Captain Merthens was a Pilatus Porter, which only requires one pilot — unlike the Cessna Caravans, which the pilot said was required to be flown by two people at Susi Air.
The pilot said it was relatively common for foreign pilots to work for Susi Air. Those wanting to get more hours under their belt to be considered for a commercial airline back home would go to Indonesia to do so.
The situation within the country was tense, but most pilots saw it as part of the job.
“Most are just there to get their hours up and get out,” he said.
Since the region was brought under Indonesian control in 1969, there has been a low-level struggle for independence with the conflict escalating further from 2018.
‘Needlessly cruel’
“The smaller islands are being forced to align with a culture established in Jakarta,” the pilot said, and the Indonesian military had been “needlessly cruel and violent” in its oppression of the West Papuans.
As a white foreigner working for the Indonesian state, it was conceivable that Captain Merthens was in real danger — foreigners were, with some frequency, seen as pawns in this way, he said.
He said it was almost certain that the Indonesian government would not give in to the demands of the pro-independence rebels.
He had also heard reports of an aircraft being shot at while departing Papua, with bullets found lodged in the airframe under the pilot’s seat.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
By Repeka Nasiko in Suva
Fiji was regarded a bully, flexing its muscle as a selfish and arrogant player in regional forums, claims Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA) president George Faktaufon.
He said he hoped Fiji would rejoin the regional aviation community with the election of the new coalition government.
Faktaufon said Fiji — through its national airline Fiji Airways — had a lot to offer to the development of the region’s aviation sector.
“As one who worked for the Pacific Island region for most of my working life, it saddened me to watch Fiji slowly but surely lose its status as a credible leader in the region,” he said.
“Apart from climate change, which Fiji only joined the bandwagon years after countries like Kiribati and Marshall Islands and their leaders, [former presidents Anote] Tong and [David] Kabaua, had been in the forefront in every international forum, including COP and other forums, Fiji has been seen as a bully, flexing its muscles and often regarded as a selfish and arrogant player in regional forums,” he said.
“In 2022, I attended three regional high level ministerial meetings — Forum Aviation Ministerial Meeting, virtually, Forum Leaders/Private Sectors Dialogue in Suva and then the Forum Economic Ministers/Private Sector Dialogue in Vanuatu,” Faktaufon said.
“In all these meetings, Fiji came out as the stumbling block to enhancing regional air connectivity with its stringent air services agreements with other PICs [Pacific Island Countries], that were not only outdated but favoured Fiji and its national airline.
“Fiji Airways has a lot to offer to other PICs and their national airlines, but it has to be in a mutual partnership.
“Fiji Airways has the resources both in expertise and also equipment that it could use to benefit other PICs as well as itself.
“It is called regional collaboration and co-operation where there are winners and no losers.
“We had done it before, with a joint lease of a B737 between Fiji Airways and Royal Tongan,” Faktaufon said.
Repeka Nasiko is a Fiji Times reporter. Republished with permission.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
By Claudia Tally and Maxine Kamus in Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea’s local airlines Air Niugini and PNG Air may be back flying again this weekend.
But passengers affected by the “no lift off” were incensed at the cancellations of their flights this week with calls by citizens that this should not happen again when many found themselves stranded at airports across the country.
Government finally intervened and with the release of foreign exchange by the Central Bank, aviation gasoline supplier Puma Energy has promised to fuel the planes.
All domestic flights were grounded on Thursday after Puma said it did not have the US dollars to buy and supply Avgas.
Prime Minister James Marape responded to the saga — in a statement after almost an entire day — by setting up a special team to meet Puma and sort out the mess.
“I will also set up a State team to look deeper into this saga between the Central Bank and Puma,” Marape said.
Many angry passengers called Prime Minister Marape and his government to intervene and address what is the second instance of flight cancellations due to fuel shortages following lack of foreign currency.
‘Sad reflection’ on economy
Simdei Kamgu, a passenger who was turned away, said the situation was a “sad reflection of the poor state of PNG’s economy” and urged Marape to come forward with a solution as the lives of thousands of domestic travelers across the country were affected by the indefinite flight cancellations.
Another disappointed customer, Andrew Bepi, who had spent more than K6000 on tickets for himself and five family members travelling to Western Highlands Province, appealed to the government to find solutions.
“Feel sorry for us the people, it is not our fault. We are traveling for business and other work and we need the government and airline operators to come out and explain to us why and how long the delay will go on for,” said Bepi.
People confirmed to fly domestic routes yesterday met with disappointment when they fronted up at airports only to find out that all flights were cancelled indefinitely.
However, by 4pm Thursday, Puma Energy country general manager Hulala Tokome confirmed that Puma Energy had lifted their fuel restrictions to Air Niugini and would supply Jet A1 to the airline after a temporary approval of their FX order were given to them by their FX supplier BSP Financial Group and ANZ.
Bank of PNG acting governor Benny Popoitai said BPNG supplied Foreign Exchange Currency (FX) to commercial banks and Puma Energy was not a client of BPNG but a client of commercial banks.
Orders from Central Bank
Despite this claim by the Central Bank, the Post-Courier understands that commercial banks get their orders of FX from the Central Bank and if the commercial banks cannot supply FX release to their clients, then this means that the Central Bank cannot or is holding back on FX orders put in by commercial banks on behalf of their clients.
In a public notice, Air Niugini advised that due to issues with Puma Energy accessing US dollars, Puma had decided to suspend the supply of Jet A1 fuel within PNG, including to Air Niugini and all other airlines effective yesterday.
Consequently, the national flag carrier announced the cancellation of all domestic flights starting on Thursday until restrictions were confirmed removed late in the afternoon.
This is the second time this incident has hit the nation within months and those stranded at the Jackson’s Airport in Port Moresby on Thursday demanded the government to urgently resolve the crippling issue of inaccessibility to foreign currency with some concerned it will continue to occur despite the short term reprieve.
Among those stranded were those who had flown in from other provinces on connecting flights, and are now worried about where they will be lodged for the night until the matter of fuel supply and foreign currency is resolved between BPNG and Puma Energy.
Claudia Tally and Maxine Kamus are PNG Post-Courier reporters. Republished with permission.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
By Thierry Lepani and Miriam Zarriga in Mt Hagen, Papua New Guinea
The ugly side of Papua New Guinean elections has shown its face in the Western Highlands capital Mt Hagen with unknown suspects sabotaging one of the busiest airports in the country to protest against the appointment of electoral officials.
Using the cover of darkness yesterday, the suspects poured oil on the Kagamuga International Airport tarmac to disrupt flights, prompting the provincial police commander to describe it as an “act of terrorism”.
Chief Superintendent Joe Puri said the incident showed what people were capable of when they were frustrated.
“However, it does not give anyone the right to hold the whole province to ransom,” he said.
“Three different factions of supporters of candidates are suspected of being involved in this latest sabotage of the airport.
“The persons responsible gained access through the back fence near the Mt Hagen golf course and got onto the tarmac where litres of engine oil was poured onto the tarmac.”
This started in protest over the appointment of the Hagen Open Returning Officer, with two factions contesting the appointment of the official in court.
Commercial flights cancelled
Commercial flights were cancelled yesterday following a protest over the electoral official’s appointment.
The protesting locals wanted Willie Ropa to be reinstated as Returning Officer for the Hagen Open electorate.
Ropa’s appointment was disputed in court by Hagen MP William Duma, who challenged the decision of the Electoral Commission in light of two conflicting gazette notices over the appointment of two ROs for Hagen — Ropa and Amos Noifa.
This incident and others in just three weeks of campaigning and nominations should not be taken lightly, as the instances will only grow if nothing is done quickly by the authorities.
Just over the weekend, the Returning Officer for Kompiam-Ambum Open, Enga Province, was shot and had to be hospitalised.
Last week, the convoy of a sitting Member of Parliament (Okapa MP Saki Soloma) was stopped and attacked leading to several vehicles being torched and destroyed.
At the same time, former Nipa-Kutubu MP and now a candidate for Southern Highlands Provincial, Philemon Embel also narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on his life when his vehicle was shot at in the province.
While these incidents have taken place mainly in the Highlands region, it is no secret the syndrome of violence can quickly spread to other centres in the country.
Last month Police Commissioner David Manning called on the nation to help deliver a free, fair and safe election. Police are now maintaining a 24 hour presence around the airport.
Thierry Lepani and Miriam Zarriga are PNG Post-Courier reporters. Republished with permission.
A commemoration has been held in French Polynesia to mark the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of a leading opposition politician in the Tuamotus.
Boris Léontieff, who headed the Fetia Api party, was among four politicians travelling in a small plane on a campaign trip when it disappeared without a trace.
The commemoration was held in Arue where Léontieff was the mayor.
The case was closed 11 years ago after investigations failed to conclude why their plane vanished, with theories suggesting the pilot lacked experience and might have encountered fuel problems.
There had been speculation there may have been foul play or that the aircraft may have been diverted.
The politicians’ wives had approached the French president to explore if the United States took satellite images of the Tuamotus at the time of the presumed crash.
Nine years ago, a court rejected a request for compensation to be paid to the widow of Boris Léontieff.
Her lawyer, James Lau, told a local newspaper that it was established that Leontieff was under surveillance by the secret service of then-president, Gaston Flosse.
Lau said the same spying effort was directed at Leontieff’s advisor and journalist, Jean-Pascal Couraud, who also disappeared without leaving a trace in 1997.
Researching the affairs of Flosse
Couraud was famous for researching the affairs of Flosse, who ruled a militia known as the GIP.
An investigation was first opened in 2004 after a former spy claimed that Couraud had been kidnapped and killed by the GIP, which dumped him in the sea between Mo’orea and Tahiti.
Murder charges against two members of the now disbanded militia, the GIP, were dismissed a decade later, after incriminating wiretaps were ruled inadmissible because they were obtained illegally.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.