PNG Air of Papua New Guinea signs for five additional ATR 72-600s

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.

Commenting on the deal, 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’s Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, commented:

This further proof of confidence from an airline that has recently started operating our ATR -600 is very significant for us. We are proud to contribute to PNG Air’s development strategy by providing them with a flexible, modern and cost-efficient solution for their various operations. The robustness of our new ATR -600s, along with their ability to operate in remote areas, are great assets for the airline.

ATRs have been the world’s best-selling regional aircraft for the last 6 years, representing some 80% of total turboprop sales. ATRs, and in particular the ATR 72-600, have established themselves as the benchmark for regional operations in Asia and the Pacific. Since 2014, the region has boasted the largest fleet of ATRs in operation anywhere in the world, with more than 370 ATR aircraft flying under the liveries of some 60-plus carriers – a fleet volume that has tripled over the last decade.