PNG Air Orders Five ATR 72-600s

PNG Air (Papua New Guinea) has signed a firm order for five ATR 72-600s.

The deal, which is worth US$ 134 million, represents the conversion into firm orders of five options from a previous deal.

Formerly known as Airlines PNG, PNG Air ordered six firm ATR 72-600s and 14 options in 2014. They started operating their first ATR 72-600 in November 2015. Today, the airline operates four ATR 72-600s and will receive the fifth aircraft before the end of this year.

The five new ATR 72-600 aircraft plus an additional one on lease will bring the total ATR fleet to 12 when the last aircraft is delivered in 2022.

The airline is currently undergoing a major transformation plan, with an ambitious fleet renewal and rebranding and a new business strategy focused on the domestic market. PNG Air is also expanding into corporate transportation to support businesses aiming to develop their natural resource activities within Papua New Guinea.

Muralee Siva, Chief Executive Officer of PNG Air, said, “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. We will progressively phase out our previous-generation turboprops to introduce an aircraft that has become a reference on the regional market worldwide.

ATR 72-600

Passenger capacity: 68-78 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horsepower per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 kg
Maximum load: 7,500 kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 km)

See other recent news regarding: ATR, PNG, Papua New Guinea.