Airline to buy planes

PNG Air will acquire five new ATR 72-600 aircraft from the manufacturer, according to a statement from the airline.
The aircraft will be acquired from the French company ATR, with the first to be delivered in 2019.
The airline will have five ATR aircraft in its fleet by December, and two more by the end of next year. The five will take the total ATR fleet to 12.
PNG Air chief executive Muralee Siva said: “The introduction of the brand new ATR 72-600s underpins our strategy to bring modern, affordable, comfortable and dependable air services to the PNG domestic market. PNG deserves the best.
“This order moves us closer to operating an all ATR fleet and we’re delighted that more of our passengers will be flying on the ATR.
“We have reduced our Dash-8 fleet and that process will continue. The Dash-8 remains a very good and capable aircraft, and will continue to operate on the smaller regional hubs and providing freight services.”
The ATR aircraft is the world’s best-selling regional turboprop aircraft, representing 80 per cent of sales for such aircraft since 2010.
It is used by more than 60 carriers in Asia and the Pacific.