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PNG Air orders five more ATR turboprops

written by WOFA | November 8, 2016

PNG Air's first ATR 72-600 turboprop, P2-ATR, at Port Moresby Airport on October 25 2015. (ATR)
A file image of PNG Air’s first ATR 72-600 turboprop, P2-ATR, at Port Moresby Airport in 2015. (ATR)

Papua New Guinea carrier PNG Air has converted five options for ATR 72-600 turboprops into a firm order as part of fleet renewal plans.

The airline, which operates domestically within Papua New Guinea, received its first ATR 72-600 in late 2015 as part of a deal comprising six aircraft on firm order and 14 options.

The ATRs – four have been delivered so far – have allowed PNG Air to retire aircraft such as de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters (which have already left the fleet) and Dash 8-100s.

“The entry into service of our brand new, modern ATR -600s clearly supports our strategy to transform our business by modernising our fleet and offering Papua New Guinea a new standard of domestic air service that is more comfortable and dependable,” PNG Air chief executive Muralee Siva said in a statement on Monday (European time).

“We will progressively phase out our previous-generation turboprops to introduce an aircraft that has become a reference on the regional market worldwide.”

The airline has said previously it planned to have an an all-ATR fleet by the early 2020s.

New ATR chief executive Christian Scherer said: “The robustness of our new ATR -600s, along with their ability to operate in remote areas, are great assets for the airline.”

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PNG Air was also the launch customer of the manufacturer’s “cargo flex” solution, with the cabin able to be converted between either a full passenger or combi layout at short notice.

Operating as a combi – the conversion can be completed overnight – increases cargo capacity by 82 per cent, from 1,700kg to 3,100kg, while the number of seats is reduced from 72 to 44.

However, a report from aviation thinktank CAPA – Centre for Aviation noted PNG Air had delayed the start of combi as it preferred to carry cargo on its Dash 8-100s for now.

Toulouse-based ATR, which is jointly owned by Airbus and Alenia Aermacchi, offers the ATR 42-600 (46-50 seats) and the ATR 72-600 (68-78 seats).

While Air New Zealand is on its way to being the third largest operator of ATR turprobops after its fresh order for 15 72-600s in 2015 to replace its 72-500s and for growth, Virgin Australia has announced plans to withdraw between four and six of the type over the next three years.

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