PX welcomes first of two new aircraft

AIR Niugini yesterday welcomed the first of its two new Dash8-Q400 NextGen aircraft and unveiled the new livery.
The Dash8-Q400 is part of Air Niugini’s expansion plan which, after the arrival of the other Dash8-Q400 and the Boeing 767, will now increase the fleet size to 20, marking a 100% growth since 2006.
Chief executive officer Wasanthra Kuma-rasiri said yesterday this aircraft is capable of landing at all major ports in the country and even at Air Niugini’s international destinations like Cairns and Brisbane.
Funded by the PNG Sustainable Development Funds, the new aircraft would place Air Niugini in a better position to take advantage of the resource development that is currently taking place in the country, especially the multi-billion dollar gas project, according to Kumarasiri.
The Dash8-Q400 NextGen aircraft is also sporting Air Niugini’s new look with a significant swirl of red and gold on the fuselage depicting the iconic Bird of Paradise in flight.
Minister for State Enterprises, Finance and Treasury Arthur Somare expressed his appreciation for the new aircraft as it is the first of its kind to be operating in PNG under P2 register.
He said the aircraft was purchased in Toronto, Canada, and ferried to PNG via the Philippines and Australia.
Somare said the increase in people and cargo movements expected from the gas project ensured that Air Niugini would be able to capitalise on this potential business opportunities and developments.
When congratulating the board, management and staff of Air Niugini, Somare said it was encouraging that Air Niugini continued to expand its operations by acquiring new aircraft and properties, entering new routes and creating new jobs.
The aircraft will go into operation within weeks on existing routes.