THREE PNG BUSINESSES GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE PREMIUM TAXI SERVICES AT THE PORT MORESBY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The National Airports Corporation (NAC) has signed contracts with three Papua New Guinean transport service providers currently operating in Port Moresby, to provide premium taxi services for the first time at the Port Moresby International Airport (PMIA), with services to begin on Monday July 13, 2026.

Following NAC’s public tender calling for Premium Taxi Service Providers, the following PNG owned and operated Taxi Service operators, met all the requirements.

1. ODESH Limited (trading as ODESH Taxi Services),
2. Khoco Limited (trading as Star Trip)
3. Pikup Ride Hailing Limited (trading as Pikup PNG

At the Contract Signing, the Acting Managing Director Dominic Kaumu said NAC is pleased to support Papua New Guinean transport businesses, thrive in providing international standard premium taxi services that are safe, reliable, clean, affordable and convenient for both domestic and international passengers.

“Driven by the development aspirations of the PNG government and by the leadership and vision of the Civil Aviation Minister and the NAC Board, this is part of our airport improvement program across all national airports.” Mr Kaumu said.

He added: “We have already launched the Port Moresby International Airport Redevelopment Program fully supported by the National Government, with construction of Phase One (Domestic Terminal Expansion) currently underway.”

“Providing this Premium Taxi Service, compliments the current developments and initiatives and NAC is encouraging partnerships with PNG companies and business to come with us on the journey to make a positive impact and improve airport infrastructure and services.” He added.

“Taxi services are an important part of any international airport. We have to make a good impression. When people land here, they should be able to walk out, there’s nice clean taxis, drivers are well dressed and it helps lift the image of our airport and our country.” Mr Kaumu said.

At the contract signing, ODESH Limited Managing Director, Issac Jipsy said airports around the world have modern airport taxi management systems and processes and ODESH fully understands the standards and expectations.

“ODESH is aligned with NAC’s expectations and the modern international standards. We are thankful for the opportunity and will try our utmost best to contribute to your greater vision.”

Star Trip, said they fully support NAC’s vision of providing safe and reliable airport transport services as it aligns with their own vision and why they started Star Trip. They added that since launching, they have completed over two-hundred thousand trips and every journey has allowed them to learn improve and continue modernising their services.

Mr Nelson Temoana, representing Pickup PNG said they were excited about the opportunity and looking forward to working with NAC.

The contracts were signed on Thursday, 2 July by NAC Acting Managing Director Dominic Kaumu and representatives of the taxi service providers.

The introduction of this service, follows several months of planning, including a tender process, risk assessment, and the installation of new signage and dedicated parking at the airport terminal curbside.

Ahead of the 13 July start date, the three operators are completing airport induction and other requirements, working alongside NAC, aviation security and airport operations teams.