PNG Air to operate charter flights to Cairns

PNG Air will begin services to Cairns in Australia today as part of a charter flight for Newcrest Mining.
PNG Air chief executive Muralee Siva said the airline would be operating three flights a week between Cairns and Lihir Island using the new ATR 72-600 aircraft.
“We have been working with Newcrest Mining for a number of years now on their domestic PNG travel, and it’s been great to move up to providing all their air travel needs, including the international flights to Cairns,” Siva said.
PNG Air is a PNG-based airline and operates passenger services and charter flights for the mining and resource companies. The airline recently underwent changes including a re-fleeting programme. It is now operating six new ATR 72-600 aircraft, with a seventh to arrive later this year.
It boasts the youngest fleet operating in PNG.
In addition to the charter work for Newcrest, the airline is also on track to start passenger services from PNG to Indonesia.