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Hey all,
Well, I am back and have to tell you it's the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but was the most self satisfying thing I can ever remember. I dont think anything can prepare you for the constant climb, however I found coming down worse on my knees, I will elaborate a little later when I have more time, however the reason for this post is to warn any of you who might be leaving soon that Air Nugini is in a complete state of disarray, it was always a dubious airline, with constant off loading, but now they seem to have slipped so far into the mire, I am not sure how they will drag themselves out. Suffice to say, if you are flying from Brisbane, and have connecting flights, make sure you leave yourselves a days grace, dont think that if you are booked on a 6.40am flight out of Port Moresby, that you will make a connecting flight that day, we left at 4.30am to catch a 6.40am flight to Australia, which was confirmed at 10pm the night previously that it was on time, only to get there and find that it was delayed to 9.45am, then 10.25am and we finally took off at 11.25am, there are no facilities at the international airport for a cup of coffee, and the toilets at the terminal leave a lot to be desired, until you get through to the departure lounge itself. If you are flying anywhere else in PNG, then good luck, we flew to Goroka, a 9.15am flight was double booked, we ended up leaving at 4.45pm that afternoon, and we were lucky to get on that one. Getting back was even more exciting, we got there at 8.00am to book in for a 10.45am flight, which we ended up leaving at 11.45am, that wasnt too bad, there were a group trying to get to a conference in Moresby, and had been trying to get out for 3 days! We got on because of our flight to Australia, apparently that gave us priority. The group we were with also had a 6.40am flight, which was changed to 8.20am, 8 of them managed to get on the original flight, some got on a flight to Cairns and then had to find connecting flights out and some got on the afternoon flight out, but had to overnight in Brisbane and get connecting flights next day. One poor lady on our flight was supposed to connect to Perth, she couldnt book in because they couldnt find her another flight to Perth, then she finally got on the plane, she arrived in Brisbane but her back pack didnt! All part of the Adventure I suppose, I cant even begin to try and describe how saddened I am that such a beautiful country has slid so far downhill. All in all though, I would do it all again in a heart beat,
More later ..Hey nettie,
so you survived, sounds like your flight schedules were a nightmare. Im booked for the early morning flight coming home and have to get back to perth, i will spend a night in brissy though so i have all day to get back !!!
What about going over, was that "on time". I might be cutting it fine as my flight is scheduled to get to PNG at 1pm and we have a gathering at 2pm Mmmmm, oh well, they will jus have to wait or start without me……perhaps they can let me jump from the plane !!
so it was hard eh, looking forward to reading a full "wrap up" of how it went.
Home just in time to see the eagles pounce on port tonight in the finals !!! Ahhh, weres the Lions in september !!!! Anthony, i assume you shall shout for our team as yours have FINISHED for the year !!
catchya
austin
Hi Jaffa,
Had no problems on the way up, plane was a little late, but no real problems,good flight, excellent service, the real problems only started after we went up, when the only plane they had for International flights was 200 hrs out of it's 1000hr refit date, it was leased from Air NewZealand who took it back, so then they had to find another to replace it, they found one from Viva Macau, which is what we came back on, but couldn't take delivery until they had paid for it and that's when all the problems started.
I havn't heard of any problems getting up there, except when all this was happening some people waited at the Brisbane airport all day, got in to Moresby at 12am, only to have to be up next day for an early flight (6.40am, and you have to book in 1.5 hrs before) to Popendetta. The people from our group who left before us and got caught up in it all ended up not getting their luggage until lunchtime the next day, and found out to get them on the next flight, the people who were booked on that flight were bumped off, so they would have had to wait until the next day. I suppose it will all sort itself out, the International flights don't seem half as bad as the domestic ones which are beyond decription, and with only one airline flying up there, people have no choice but to put up with it. Don't let it put you off, believe me even with all the problems it is very very worth doing, just be aware that Air Nugini have major problems with the administration side of the airlines in Moresby and people need to make arrangments so that they don't get caught out, i.e overnight in Brisbane to make sure of making a connecting flight interstate, I can't see it getting any better as the Government is just not putting enough money into it. When we left Goroka, the people that were trying to get to Moresby told me the day before they counted 135 people trying to get a seat on a Dash 8, and all were holding tickets, even when you are given a boarding pass, there is a mad rush when the flight is called because it's not unusual for the seat to be double even triple booked, so it's first in best dressed. On our flight from Goroka, to fit people on they put someone up in the cockpit in the jumpseat with the pilot! can only happen in PNG!
sounds unbelievable I know, it desperatly needs another airline to start operating up there, apparently Airlines PNG started, but it wasn't profitable , so now they only charter.Hi everyone, living here permanently I have to honestly say it hasnt been like this until recently when their leased aircraft was returned and Air Niugini had to find a replacement aircraft.
Yes they are in crisis right now but please do not forget there is another airline flying out of Brisbane and Cairns and they are generally cheaper:
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