Air Niugini resumes flights to Buka

8:00 pm on 18 July 2018

Air Niugini has resumed flights to Buka in northern Bougainville.

Air Niugini, Papua New Guinea

Air Niugini, Papua New Guinea Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The suspension followed threats last week by a creditor of the local government which aviation news site ch-aviation reports owes around $US4.5 million.

On Friday a group made up of service providers who had reportedly not received payment owed them by the Autonomous Bougainville Government forced a plane to return to Papua New Guinea mid-flight.

Air Niugini suspended flights on Friday but a spokesperson said the service resumed on Monday.

The airline was providing flights from Port Morseby to Buka six times a week, including three flights via Rabaul/Kokopo.

Flights between Port Morseby and Bougainville's southern town of Arawa were not affected.