Airline expands fleet with new aircraft

 A THIRD ATR 72-600 aircraft has joined the PNG Air fleet after arriving from its factory in France last Sunday.

The aircraft completed its ferry flight from Toulouse in France touching down at Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby early last Sunday.

PNG Air pilots, under command of Captain Adam Loughrey, flew the aircraft from France.

PNG Air’s chairman Murray Woo said: “This new aircraft is part of our ongoing commitment to re-fleeting the airline with brand new aircraft better suited to meet the future demands of the PNG market.

“By the end of 2016, we will have five new ATRs serving our network and supporting the development of PNG. 

“With the arrival of this aircraft, we will launch a new commercial schedule on 25 April, with more flights and capacity into ports such as Wewak, Goroka and Vanimo.  

“We will also use the ATR to operate services into Buka and begin operations to Kieta (Aropa), with links between those two ports.

“We are working to launch services to Jayapura (Indonesia) which will open up a new international route to our closest neighbour.

“These are exciting and challenging times for the airline and PNG as a whole and we are committed to playing a key part in the economic and social development of the country.”