Papua New Guinea's Civil Aviation Authority officials are trying to allay fears over a report that portrays the agency as disorganised, corrupt, and compromising air safety in the country.

The National reports, the PNG authority has also been accused of failing to investigate plane accidents.

The report, aired on the ABC, claimed safety standards had plummeted in the past two decades.

PNG's minister for works, transport and civil aviation, Don Polye, admitted in the report there is minimal upkeep of airports and airstrips in the country because of a lack of funds.