10 hours of chaos at Jackson International Airport’s Domestic Terminal

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10 hours of chaos at Jackson International Airport’s Domestic Terminal

PORT MORESBY: The Jackson International Airport’s domestic terminal was closed for about 10 hours by National Airports Corporation (NAC) on Saturday (Nov 12, 2022) – following National Airports Corporation (NAC) managing-director and chief executive Rex Kiponge arrest on Friday (Nov 11, 2022).

The closure, causing chaos at the airport, was ordered after the NAC issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam).

Kiponge was arrested for illegally operating the Nadzab and Kiunga airports.

A police team had stormed the airport to arrest Kiponge .

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa) director Benedict Oraka said Kiponge had been invited to Casa PNG headquarters on Sept 13 and 14 for questioning in relation to him breaching Section 280 of the Civil Aviation Act 2000 (amended).

”Kiponge had also been invited to be interviewed on the following dates: Sept 15, 21 and Oct 21, 2022,” he added.

Oraka said Kiponge refused to attend or did not show up.

“The police then performed their duties to arrest Kiponge,” he added.

Kiponge accused Casa “for causing this chaos”.

However, Prime Minister James Marapoe wants the “sabotaging” of the international airport to be investigated, warning officials to “take your personal fights elsewhere”.

Marape said: “I want a complete report on this gross negligence, sabotage and abuse of due process."

The news break was reported by The National:

Airports boss charged

November 14, 2022The NationalMain Stories

National Airports Corporation chief executive and managing director Rex Kiponge.

NATIONAL Airports Corporation (NAC) managing director and chief executive Rex Kiponge was charged on Friday with allowing operation of the Nadzab and Kiunga airports without valid certificates.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa) of PNG director Benedict Oraka said Kiponge had been invited to the Casa PNG headquarters on Sept 13 and 14 for questioning in relation to the managing director and NAC breaching Section 280 of the Civil Aviation Act 2000 (as amended).
“Mr Kiponge had also been invited to be interviewed on the following dates: Sept 15, Sept 21 and Oct 21, 2022,” Oraka said.
“Mr Kiponge refused to attend or did not show up to be interviewed.
“The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will perform a security validation in May, 2023, and a full safety audit in June, 2023.
“The ultimate effect that the actions of NAC will have on the state of PNG will be detrimental to PNG. International travel will not be allowed.
“International exports and imports via air transportation will cease and the PNG economy will be adversely affected.
“This situation must be avoided at all costs.”
Kiponge said all matters on Nadzab and Kiunga had already been addressed and the manner in which police arrested him at the airport air side was a security breach.
But Oraka said police were performing their duties in accordance with the Police Act and the Civil Aviation Act 2000 (as amended).
“The NAC MD, the NAC board and management, show their lack of knowledge of the relevant legislation in place,” he said.
“Casa PNG commends the police force for the professionalism in their conduct over the events that transpired over the weekend.”

PM angry over airport closure, warns officials

November 14, 2022The NationalMain Stories

National Capital District and Central Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Wagambie Jnr (middle) with other senior officers at the Jacksons domestic terminal in Port Moresby on Saturday. – Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI

By PETER ESILA
PRIME Minister James Marape wants the “sabotaging” of the country’s biggest international airport on Saturday investigated, warning officials to take their “personal” fights elsewhere.
The Jackson airport, which caters for international and domestic flights, was closed after the National Airport Corporation (NAC) issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam) to close the domestic terminal.
The Notam was issued after a group of policemen on Friday night entered the airport to arrest the managing director and chief executive officer Rex Kiponge, who had arrived on a domestic flight.
The Notam was lifted around noon on Saturday.
Marape said: “I want a complete report on this gross negligence, sabotage and abuse of due process by those who are discharged with authority.
“In the context of national security, you cannot stop airport and flights, as this is sabotaging our freedom of movement.
“My appeal to National Airport Corporation staff, and all who support air transport, is not to personalise things.”
He said airports and public institutions “facilitate our economy and well-being of our people”.
“Our international reputation continues to be dented with people playing hide-and-seek with law and abuse of processes.”
Marape directed the national security advisory committee, in a national security council meeting on Saturday, to have the incident investigated.
Kiponge accused the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) “for causing this chaos”.
He said he was returning to Port Moresby on Friday night after a visit to Mt Hagen, Tari in Hela and Wapenamanda in Enga to check on the status of terminal buildings.
“Upon my return at about 7pm, fully-armed policemen numbering up to about 17, unlawfully gained entry into the restricted and sterilised area and arrested me,” Kiponge said.
“I was escorted out of the domestic terminal to the CASA office and detained for three hours.
“CASA director Benedict Oraka in the presence of police officer Joe Puana, interviewed me and charged me for allegations of operating or allowing normal operations into Nadzab and Kiunga airports without an aerodrome operating certificate.”
Kiponge said the issues relating to the operations of Nadzab and Kiunga had been addressed.
“I was then escorted to the Boroko police station where I was detained for one hour before I was bailed for K10,000.”
Kiponge said the Notam had to be issued “in the interest of the travelling public and airline operators for domestic flight operations to conduct full assessment of any contamination”.

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