“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” The exciting time of the year is fast approaching. As we gear up for the festive season, it also gives us the opportunity to reflect on the previous year and reminds us of the importance of giving. At Airways, this season is not only about celebrating the successes that come with hard work but also the time to give back to the community. It’s been a part of our company’s tradition to help other people in any way we can and contributing to charities nurture this norm. One of the charities we’ve been supporting since 2005 is the Handmaids of our Lord Congregation. It was founded by Archbishop Alain de Boismenu, MSC on April 8, 1918 in Port Leon Yule Island Papua New Guinea (headquarters of the French Missionaries of the Sacred Heart). Its vision is to nurture humanity to acquire solidarity of families and to share the compassionate love of God to all. At present, there are 29 Sisters in the congregation and still growing as several young women are showing interest in joining their devotion. It is being led by Sr. Cecily Daot who is also celebrating her jubilee year in service on November 19, 2022. Part of their missions are promoting the glory of God, dedicating their lives to religious service, and engaging in various ministries not only in Papua New Guinea but, even in other countries that require their assistance. Being self-funded, the congregation tackles several significant challenges as well hence, they require people’s support and generosity to sustain them in fulfilling their advocacy.
Every donation will definitely make a life-changing difference to them and to the people they help. For those who wish to contribute, you may get in touch on the below details.
Sr. Elizabeth Tumana, AD
etumana143@gmail.com
71758261 I 75666371 I 72567018
From all of us at Airways Hotel & Residences, we wish everyone a meaningful and happy festive season.
Category Archives: Press
Airways concierge features in Post Courier: ’27 years of service with a smile’
We introduce you to Timothy Kefrewa from Goroka. Married with six children, Timothy works as a concierge in charge at the Airways Hotel. For 27 years he has been serving Airways Hotel with a smile.
Airways vigilant against COVID
Airways has stepped up its safety measures against COVID, as the hotel embraces new, innovative technologies.
Click article below to read in full.
COVID safety a priority at Airways
Written by Robert Upe
Airways Hotel is going to extraordinary lengths to protect guests and staff from COVID-19. The hotel has embraced innovative technology, including self-sanitising door handles and ultraviolet wands that are designed to kill germs. The self-cleaning anti-bacterial door handles are used in high-traffic areas of the hotel. They have a silver ion coating that works 24/7 and combats pathogens left on the surface, thereby preventing cross-contamination. Laboratory tests have reported that 99.9% of bacteria is killed by the silver technology. The handheld ultraviolent wands are waved over surfaces such as beds, curtains and remote-control TV units to destroy the virus with UV radiation. They are being used to disinfect rooms, restaurants, reception, the health and fitness club and other public areas of the hotel. The high-tech measures are in addition to standard COVID-19 safety measures, which include the cleaning of public areas up to four times a day, wearing of masks, temperature checks on entry, social distancing, and sanitisers widely distributed around the hotel. Staff are briefed daily on preventative measures, and on arrival at work must sanitise and be temperature checked. They need to go straight to the staff changing rooms to freshen up and change into work uniforms. Guests undergoing 14-day quarantine must remain within their rooms, are not allowed to have visitors, and receive their meals in food containers in paper bags with disposable cutlery. There is contactless delivery, with meals left on a chair outside the door. Security personnel are stationed on each floor that has quarantine rooms.
The hotel is also developing a contactless check-in service to further protect guests.
Bliss the Spa and the magic of ishga
Ishga, fashioned from the waters of the north west of Scotland, uses the power of the sea to restore the skin and soul. Indulge in this amazing product at our luxurious spa.
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New room features for Airways guests
Written by Robert Upe
Airways Hotel has upgraded the premium Dakota Wing rooms with smart TVs. Guests now have the luxury of accessing full streaming services in the comfort of their room. This is in addition to the personal butler service already available, offering a customised bath service, garment pressing and shoeshine. Guests receive airport luggage assistance and can also use a grocery shopping service provided by the hotel, between 8am and 4pm. Other room feature additions include the introduction a 24-hour e-butler service in its Fountain and Dakota rooms, accessible via SMS or phone call. Guests can request wireless speakers and iPads and receive priority restaurant and spa reservations. Other services provided with rooms in these two luxury wings of the hotel include complimentary access to the fitness centre, complimentary breakfast pastries and champagne, martini hours in the lounge, pillow menus and newspaper delivery. “For many years Airways Hotel has provided the country’s best accommodation, but we’re not resting on our laurels,” says Sunil Panda, the hotel’s new General Manager.
“The new room features now take us to another level by offering homely touches and will be particularly welcoming to our many long-stay guests.”
‘Local talent is our greatest strength’: Airways new GM Sunilkumar Panda on future-proofing PNG’s top hotel
Written by Paul Chai
Running a hotel during a global pandemic is never going to be smooth sailing but Airways Hotel’s new General Manager Sunilkumar Panda has made sure that Airways delivers the best service possible and is not just surviving in today’s environment but looking to a very bright future. When Mr Panda took on the job of Airways Hotel’s General Manager in November last year, he came to the group with nearly two decades of hotel management experience, both in Airways and in India’s Taj Hotels and Resorts. With extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, Mr Panda has been confident in Airways best service delivery. ‘Any downtime during COVID has been used to help us
reevaluate our business, train our employees and find new flexible ways to improve,’ he says. Under this stewardship, Airways has focussed on cost-saving measure to help with revenue but also invested in new technology that will future-proof the hotel and make guests feel secure in uncertain times. ‘We have been adapting new technology to keep people safe such as a UV sanitising system, fumigation machine, anti-bacterial door handles and a complete update of the air-conditioning system,’ Mr Panda added.
As part of the Hotel’s vision in providing the best service, caring for guests has been the Hotel’s top priority. Additionally, Airways Hotel has been developing its digital marketing skills, doing maintenance and upgrading the hotel’s premium rooms with 50-inch smart TVs and an improved in-room butler service. However, while Mr Panda sees the value in investing in the hotel’s bricks and mortar, his real passion lies with the Airways staff. ‘From the start, I recognised that the local talent is the hotel’s greatest strength,’ he says.
‘The service culture that our staff delivers is an unforgettable memory for guests,” Mr. Panda said. He further mentioned that the Hotel’s way of providing the best service is what makes the guests come back. It was this commitment to growing local talent that first drew him to Airways when he joined the group in 2014 as head of the food and beverage department. ‘Being a certified trainer, I love to train people and wanted to develop in-house talent here in PNG,’ he says. ‘I try my level best each day to help support the people around me. We are promoting our staff to a higher level and giving them bigger roles to boost their morale and show that we appreciate their efforts so that they will serve as an inspiration to others. ‘ With such passion for developing local talent, Mr Panda is confident that Airways will reach greater heights in the future while providing the best service possible.
A taste of PNG: Airways Hotel’s signature chef Molly Vaieke is cooking local dishes and preparing local talent for a career in food
By Paul Chai
After 15 years of rising through the ranks in the Airways Hotel kitchens to her current role as signature chef, Molly Vaieke is now in charge of mentoring the next generation of Papua New Guinean chefs. Vaieke has described that her growth in various roles has been a result of the continuous support given by Airways. Additionally she says that the company has always been “a place where locals are encouraged to be who they want to be.” Today, Vaieke is paying this way forward. “We hire young individuals and help them broaden their knowledge and become better chefs,” Vaieke says. The culinary training is also a two-way street with Vaieke, and the team at Airways as it also allows lessons from the influx of young hospitality workers. “We learn and they learn and it can lead to new local dishes on the menu for guests to enjoy,” Vaieke says. Airways draws business travellers and tourists to its restaurants like Vue Restaurant and Lounge Bar, that looks across the Owen Stanley Ranges including a fine diner Bacchus or casual Italian eatery Deli KC. The hotel has a long history of great International dishes but has recently added a lot more local Papua New Guinean dishes to its repertoire. “Previously we would put dishes like aupa with coconut chicken on the menu for special occasions but there is now a local menu all the time,” says Vaieke. Dishes like grilled local prawns with papaya salad or a puff pastry stuffed with sautéed aibika leaves can now be found at Airways, with few seasonal twists depending on what Vaieke finds at the local markets. “You create something that looks perfect and then when someone eats it and enjoys it, it makes you feel good too.” VIEW OUR SIGNATURE LOCAL DISHES MENU
Airways Hotel & Residences is working to achieve the unthinkable – becoming a COVID-free hotel
Written by Robert Upe
So much to enjoy, so little time. That’s the dilemma for busy business people staying in the luxury Dakota Wing at the Airways Hotel. There are three – yes, three – first-class lounges for guests to use on a complimentary basis. The lounges are called ‘Touch’, ‘Sound’ and ‘Sight’. The ‘Sight’ lounge, located on level three at the top of the wing, was recently rejuvenated, but no matter which lounge you choose you’ll be spoilt with stylish interiors and relaxed ambience. The lounges are a perfect place to unwind after a flight into Port Moresby, or a day of business meetings. The daily Martini Hour in the Sight lounge (it’s actually two hours, from 5 to 7pm) has become an essential Port Moresby experience. If you’re travelling solo, as many businesspeople do, it’s a good place to socialise with like-minded guests. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with CEOs, executives, industry leaders and even politicians. If you are lucky enough to be travelling with your partner, the Martini Hour is an indulgent way to start the evening, perhaps before you move on to the hotel’s numerous restaurants. The Martini Hour includes full bar service with wine, beer, spirits, cocktails and bubbly, of course. There’s a selection of hot-and-cold canapes, including sushi, seafood, dips, cheeses, pastries and Asian and Indian delights such as flavoursome mini spring rolls and curry puffs. The food is constantly replenished by the friendly and attentive staff who will also pour your drinks. The Sight lounge offers pastries in the morning, with freshly brewed coffee or tea, or you could, perhaps, start the day with a Champagne breakfast. At lunchtime, an antipasto spread is available with cuts of premium meat, cheeses, olives and more. The seating is comfortable (you’ll never want to leave), with plush sofas and chairs scattered around the lounges in small groupings. The ‘Touch’ lounge, on the first floor, is a giant games room, with a snooker table and chess set. One floor up you’ll find the ‘Sound’ lounge, which has a TV and lots of space for chatting and socialising.
The lounges are Wi-Fi enabled and there are airport and mountain views to soak in with your drink.
Indulge yourself in PNG’s first-class lounge experience
By Robert Upe
Airways Hotel has upgraded the premium Dakota Wing rooms with smart TVs. Guests now have the luxury of accessing full streaming services in the comfort of their room. This is in addition to the personal butler service already available, offering a customised bath service, garment pressing and shoeshine. Guests receive airport luggage assistance and can also use a grocery shopping service provided by the hotel, between 8am and 4pm. Other room feature additions include the introduction a 24-hour e-butler service in its Fountain and Dakota rooms, accessible via SMS or phone call. Guests can request wireless speakers and iPads and receive priority restaurant and spa reservations. Other services provided with rooms in these two luxury wings of the hotel include complimentary access to the fitness centre, complimentary breakfast pastries and champagne, martini hours in the lounge, pillow menus and newspaper delivery. “For many years Airways Hotel has provided the country’s best accommodation, but we’re not resting on our laurels,” says Sunil Panda, the hotel’s new General Manager. “The new room features now take us to another level by offering homely touches and will be particularly welcoming to our many long-stay guests.”