Boost for Air Niugini

By GYNNIE KERO
PRESIDENT of aircraft manufacturer Airbus (Asia-Pacific), Anand Stanley, yesterday described the signing of an aircraft purchase deal with Air Niugini as the “marriage of two nations”, adding that he was “interested” in the country.
“Aviation is critical to the infrastructure of PNG,” he said.
“PNG will benefit from the (new Air Niugini aircraft) A220-100 because it is the latest generation aircraft in the 100-seat to 150-seat category. It is 25 per cent fuel efficient.”
Air Niugini has ordered 11 new aircraft to improve its services. It is buying six A220-100 jets from Airbus, leasing two other A220-100s, plus three A220-300 aircraft from third-party lessors.
The new aircraft will replace Air Niugini’s fleet of Fokker 100/700 and Boeing 737 on domestic and international routes from 2025.
Stanley said the purchase deal was “not just a marriage between Airbus and Air Niugini”.
“It is a marriage of nations – the European nations, European Union together with Papua New Guinea,” he said.
Prime Minister James Marape thanked Airbus and Stanley for partnering with Air Niugini, adding that the decision to choose Airbus was because of the manufacturer’s reputation to deliver aircraft that can efficiently operate in PNG’s geography and climatic conditions.
Marape also proposed to Airbus to set up a manufacturing business in the country.
“Bring your aviation training here, or even your manufacturing here,” he told Stanley.
“I know you have a wide range of manufacturing all over the (world).
The advantage we will bring you to is low cost energy.
“We have more hydro potential than anywhere in the world.
“We will give you land, we will give you cheap, green-energy power.”
On the Government’s suggestion to Airbus to set up an aviation academy and manufacturing business in PNG, Stanley told The National that he was “interested in Papua New Guinea and will be back”.
He expressed optimism in Air Niugini improving its service and making it both cost-effective and time-effective for the travelling public after the arrival of the planes.
Marape urged the people not to “think down on your country.”
“Air Niugini isn’t going down, he said. Marape is optimistic that Air Niugini’s performance would improve as PNG expects an increase in air travel in the next 10 years.
Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and Head of International, said: “The efficiency and range capability of the A220 makes it the perfect solution for Air Niugini’s network as it charts a new trajectory.
“We thank Air Niugini for its confidence in Airbus and are committed to offering our full support to the airline transitions to its new fleet.”