Source: ABC News Author: Steve Marshall 02/02/2009
Subject Concerned: Government Plane Crash Airport
The Papua New Guinea Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says it needs to spend AU$770 million to upgrade its airports.
Last year an investigative report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) exposed a number of deficiencies within the authority.
CAA boss Joseph Kintau says most of country's airports are ill-equipped to handle Fokker F100 planes, which carry up to 100 people.
Mr Kintau has placed advertisements in the daily newspapers to try and pressure the Government to release the funding.
"The urgency of replacement of infrastructure has not been fully appreciated by all stakeholders," he said.
"The longer we delay, the effect in the aviation and air transport in this country will be adversely affected."
A lack of funds continues to prevent investigations into aircraft crashes which have killed 16 people - including three Australians - since 2000.
An accident commission was recently established to clear the backlog, but a CAA insider says the commission has no money.