| Iata: | ND |
| Founded: | 1989 |
| Commenced: | June 1990 |
| Ceased: | 27 July 2007 |
| Bases: | Madang Airport |
| Hubs: | |
| Fleet Size: | See Fleet below |
| Destinations: | See Services below |
| Headquarters: | Madang, Papua New Guinea |
Airlink was an airline based in Madang, Papua New Guinea that ceased operations in late July 2007.[1] It provided high-frequency scheduled and charter services to outlying regions of Papua New Guinea. Its main base was Madang Airport, with hubs at Rabaul Airport, Kavieng Airport, Wewak International Airport and Mount Hagen Airport.[2]
The airline was established in 1989 and started scheduled operations in June 1990. It bought out the assets of Talair in the New Guinea Islands Region in October 1990. The company suffered considerable hardships due to the 1994 Rabaul volcanic eruptions, including the loss of four aircraft.[2]
Airlink suffered two fatal crashes in 1999, when an Islander crashed near Hoskins in West New Britain Province, killing all aboard, and a couple of months later when an Embraer EMB-110-P1 Bandeirante flew into terrain on the eastern approach to Goroka (also pilot error).
Airlink ceased operations on 27 July 2007 as a result of "business difficulties". It had 200 employees. The airline's operating licence had only been re-issued a few days earlier, after a period of suspension starting in May following two serious accidents (as described above). One plane had crashed in West New Britain while a second had crashed on landing in Goroka.
The loss of the airline was described as "sad and disappointing" by outgoing Madang Governor Sir Peter Barter, who said that the closure would affect the transport of people and cargo, including vital medical supplies.
Airlink operated services to the following domestic scheduled destinations (at January 2005): Bialla, Buka, Cape Orford, Gasmata, Gonalia, Goroka, Hoskins, Jacquinot Bay, Kandrian, Kavieng, Kiunga, Lae, Lihir Island, Madang, Mount Hagen, Namatanai, Nissan Island, Port Moresby, Rabaul, Tabubil, Tadji, Talasea, Tari, Vanimo and Wewak.
The Airlink fleet consisted of the following aircraft (at March 2007):[2]
At January 2005 the airline also operated :
- Cessna 402
- DHC6 - Twin Otter