The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government Cabinet is reportedly deliberating on the Air Niugini (PX, Port Moresby) re-fleeting proposal this week, according to the Post Courier newspaper. The state-owned carrier had expected to make an announcement regarding a regional jet order last month.
The outlet cited State Enterprises Minister William Duma, who said once Cabinet approval was granted, the airline could decide on the composition of the order. In April, acting CEO Gary Seddon told ch-aviation that the state-owned carrier wanted to order 11 regional jets and had narrowed the choices down to the A220-300 and A220-100, or the E195-E2.
"There is a toss up between Embraer and Airbus to replace the narrowbody planes such as the Fokker 70s and Fokker 100s," Duma told the newspaper. "We are (also) looking at purchasing or leasing some (aircraft) to service the smaller centres."
Duma visited Air Niugini's headquarters and engineering facilities this week, along with a contingent of Port Moresby-based media. The airline is reportedly also seeking additional funds from the government to build a PGK70 million kina (USD19.8 million) new hangar at Port Moresby's Jackson International Airport. The minister said any decision about a hangar and where to put it would follow a decision by the National Airport Corporation about the airport's terminal redevelopment and its future location. Duma says a new hangar would allow Air Niugini to do more maintenance in-house.
Meanwhile, on the day of Duma's visit, Seddon told Loop PNG that the airline expects to receive six additional leased aircraft by September. "Prior to the arrival of our brand new aircraft, we will welcome an interim fleet of six, including B737-800s, and DHC-8-Q400s, by September 2023" he said. "Our new aircraft arrive from 2025. Manufacturer lead times are lengthy because of challenging global supply issues."
According to ch-aviation fleets data, Air Niugini presently operates one B737-800, two B767-300ERs, two Fokker 100s, four Fokker 70s, three DHC-8-300s, two DHC-8-Q200s, and two DHC-8-Q400s. The airline flies to 30 destinations in nine countries, including Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Solomon Islands, Palau, the Philippines, and Fiji.
