Air Niugini, the national flag carrier, today announced the appointment of Gary Seddon as its Chief Executive Officer, with the Board expressing confidence in further improvements to the airline’s operations.

Mr. Seddon, who has been acting in the position, was officially confirmed in this role by the PNG National Executive Council (NEC) due to the airline’s ownership by the PNG Government.

The company stated that Mr. Seddon has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the airline.

“During his tenure as interim CEO, Gary has overseen significant milestones, including the fleet replacement program with Airbus and Boeing aircraft, enhancements to our route network, and a renewed focus on customer service excellence. His strategic vision and operational expertise have positioned Air Niugini to navigate the challenges and opportunities within the regional market,” the company said.

It added that its Chairman and Board of Directors are confident that under Gary’s leadership, Air Niugini will continue to strengthen its role as Papua New Guinea’s national carrier and fulfill its mission to connect PNG with the world.

“On behalf of the Air Niugini Board, I congratulate Mr. Seddon on his permanent appointment. His leadership will aid in accelerating the re-fleeting program to its successful completion, including the impending arrival of Airbus A220s next September, coinciding with our nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary,” said Chairman Mr. Karl Yalo.

Mr. Seddon expressed his gratitude to the NEC, the Prime Minister, and the Minister for State Enterprises, stating, “I am deeply honored to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer at Air Niugini on a permanent basis. I look forward to continuing our work to enhance the airline’s offerings and improve operational performance. We face many challenges, but they are not impossible to overcome. I sincerely thank our valued customers for their patience and understanding, and I am very appreciative of the dedicated team at Air Niugini who continue to keep us flying.”

Minister for State Enterprises, Hon. William Duma, stated that Mr. Seddon is responsible for delivering against key performance indicators.

“He will continue to have the support of the government, but he must achieve these objectives while providing a sustainable return on investment. The purchase of Airbus A220 aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners is a game changer. This is a long-overdue investment and will position Air Niugini as the number one airline in the region,” Mr. Duma said.