Airbus visits Port Moresby during tour

AN Airbus A220 passenger aircraft visited Port Moresby yesterday as part of a demonstration tour in the Pacific and the world.
Airline executives and journalists experienced the aircraft’s capabilities and passenger comfort during a 45-minute demonstration flight.
Air Niugini managing director Alan Milne said the aircraft would be a good replacement for its Fokker jet fleet.
Milne said the A220 was a rival of the Embraer E195-E2 jet that visited Port Moresby in July.
He said Air Niugini regarded these visits seriously in its decision-making.
“The A220 has the latest technology in engine and airframe manufacturing.
“The full jet engines I have never seen before, now the leading edge of technology.
“The aircraft and engine combination can save Air Niugini up to about 30 per cent of what we are paying for Fokker operation at the moment, a vast step forward.
“The decision will always be based on the numbers; the aeroplane has to meet our mission and the price has to be competitive for us to purchase them.
“The purchasing decision will be between the Airbus and the Embraer down the track.
“We need to make that decision quickly because it takes a long time to make a decision, order and then have the aircraft delivered.
“We are going to make the decision as quick as we can.”
Airbus analyst Santiago Garcia Benito said the aircraft is an Air Baltic A220-300, featuring 145 seats in a single class passenger cabin.
“Capable of flying non-stop on routes of up to 3400 nautical miles (6,300 km), the A220 offers the range capability of larger single-aisle aircraft,” Benito said.
Airbus sales director Paul Tuck said the A220 was operated in the Asia-Pacific region by Korean Air on domestic and international services.