Air Niugini flights into Madang province has temporarily been downgraded to Dash 8 services due to the airport runway being affected by the recent earthquake in Madang.

The airline company released a statement this afternoon following a notice from the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to commence repair work on the damaged runway.

Parts of Madang province experienced some level of damage during the 6.7 magnitude that occurred over the weekend.

Due to similar repair works at Western Highland’s Kagamuga airport, all Fokker and Boeing 737 flights to Mount Hagen have also been downgraded to Dash 8 aircraft.

Air Niugini says the airport runways have been shortened to allow the National Airport Corporation to carry out maintenance and repair works.

Air Niugini says while the situation is beyond their control safety of their passengers and aircrafts is their priority.

The airline company says it apologies for the inconveniences and will advise when jet operations into both Madang and Mt Hagen are resuming.