Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea, has placed a firm order with Airbus for six A220-100 aircraft as part of its ambitious fleet modernization initiative. Additionally, three A220-300 and two A220-100 aircraft from lessors will be incorporated.
The official announcement was made during an event in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. It was attended by figures such as Gary Seddon, Acting CEO of Air Niugini, and Anand Stanley, President of Airbus Asia-Pacific. James Marape, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, was also present at the event.
These A220 aircraft will be operated solely by Air Niugini in its domestic and regional network, not only increasing capacity on local routes but also enabling the airline to expand its destinations in the Asia-Pacific region from its base in Port Moresby. Seddon emphasized that this step «marks a milestone in our airline’s history. We aim to enhance trade and tourism in Papua New Guinea, and these new aircraft will contribute by providing great passenger comfort while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.»
You might also be interested in: Air Niugini’s Quest for Fokker 70/100 Replacement: Airbus A220 or Embraer E195-E2?
Currently, Air Niugini’s medium-range fleet consists of seven Fokker 100 aircraft with an average age of 31 years, six Fokker 70 aircraft with 27 years of service, and a 20-year-old Boeing 737-800. These aircraft are complemented by a DHC-8-300 and three DHC-8-44. Before making their decision, the airline evaluated both the A220 and the Embraer E195-E2, two models that were showcased in the country.
Christian Scherer, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer, praised Air Niugini’s choice, stating, «They have recognized the extensive benefits the A220 brings to their airline compared to other products in this category, offering greater efficiency, range, comfort, and growth potential. We are committed to assisting in the transition to their new fleet.»
Air Niugini also revealed its choice of NAVBLUE’s -an Airbus subdsidiary- flight planning system. Named N-Flight Planning, this system will help the airline optimize fuel consumption, flight times, and operational costs while ensuring safety.
The A220 stands out as the most modern aircraft in its category. Originally known as the Bombardier C Series, it was designed to carry between 100 and 150 passengers. Its maximum range is of up to 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km). As of the end of September, Airbus has received orders from approximately thirty customers. In total, over eight hundred A220 aircraft, of which more than 280 have been delivered, are on the backlog.
