Mission Aviation Fellowship Cancels Non-Essential Flights Due to Fuel Shortages
Mission Aviation Fellowship of Papua New Guinea (MAF PNG) has announced the cancellation of non-essential flights to western regions of the country amid ongoing fuel shortages. This decision, revealed in a December 12 media release, aims to conserve limited fuel resources and ensure the continuation of critical services such as medical evacuations.
“We are cancelling non-essential flying to be able to conserve fuel in the Telefomin, Tabubil, and Kiunga areas,” stated Dom Sant, MAF PNG Interim Country Director. “This will allow MAF to continue to operate essential flights such as medical evacuations.”
The fuel shortage crisis has significantly impacted operations in remote areas. Although a shipment of fuel is en route to Kiunga, delays are expected to push its arrival to the first week of January, delaying the resumption of flights until then. The situation stems from persistent fuel supply issues in Papua New Guinea, where Puma Energy, the country’s sole fuel provider, ceased bulk fuel deliveries, interplane tanker services, and drum supplies in November. Additionally, PNG Air (CG, Port Moresby) has issued warnings about potential flight reductions this month due to the ongoing fuel scarcity.
Sant elaborated that Telefomin, Tabubil, and Kiunga are particularly affected due to their remote locations and lack of available fuel. “Telefomin, Tabubil, and Kiunga were reasonably remote and do not presently have fuel available there,” he explained. While MAF PNG has sufficient drum fuel supplies at bases in Mount Hagen, Goroka, Balimo, Madang, Tari, Wewak, and Vanimo, transporting fuel from Port Moresby to Balimo or Kiunga remains a logistical challenge. Fuel must be moved by ship or barge to Balimo or Kiunga, then trucked or flown to further remote airports.
“From Kiunga, fuel gets trucked to Tabubil, and then flown by MAF aircraft to Telefomin,” Sant said. He emphasized the meticulous fuel management required, as pilots calculate daily fuel needs and depend on refueling at various airports to maximize payloads.
“With no refueling options at present in Telefomin, Tabubil, and Kiunga, this will reduce service in the area,” Sant added. “We are committed to resolving this issue as swiftly as possible and ensuring that operations return to normal.”
MAF PNG operates a fleet of ten Cessna 208 Caravan turboprop aircraft, serving approximately 200 airstrips across Papua New Guinea. The ability to maintain essential services is crucial, especially in regions where ground transportation is limited or nonexistent.
The temporary suspension of non-essential flights highlights the broader challenges faced by aviation services in regions with unstable fuel supplies. MAF PNG’s proactive measures aim to prioritize life-saving operations while navigating the constraints imposed by the current fuel crisis.
Efforts to mitigate the fuel shortage include importing drum fuel to sustain operations in other areas, albeit at twice the cost of bulk fuel available within the country. This financial strain underscores the urgent need for sustainable fuel solutions to support aviation and other critical sectors in Papua New Guinea.
As the situation evolves, MAF PNG remains focused on maintaining essential flight operations and restoring normal service levels as soon as fuel supplies stabilize. The organization continues to seek ways to enhance fuel logistics and reduce dependency on imported drum fuel, aiming for a more resilient and self-sufficient operational framework.
In summary, MAF PNG’s decision to cancel non-essential flights to western Papua New Guinea is a necessary step to manage limited fuel resources effectively. By prioritizing critical medical evacuations and optimizing fuel usage, the organization strives to ensure the safety and well-being of its passengers during this challenging period.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com