PX’s new Boeing 767
AIR NIUGINI last Friday took delivery of its new flagship, a Boeing 767-300 wide-body aircraft with a seating capacity of 214.
The aircraft, in full Air Niugini motif, will be used on the airline’s Asian routes of Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong and Narita from Port Moresby.
It will also serve the Port Moresby to Brisbane and Port Moresby to Sydney routes.
The plane was secured under a wet engineering lease arrangement with Icelandic Air and it will be operated by Air Niugini’s pilots and cabin crew on the specified routes.
Independent Public Business Corp (IPBC) board chairman Sumasy Singin, who officiated at the arrival of the aircraft before invited guests and dignitaries, commended the airline company’s board and management for securing the aircraft.
“The international market for wide-body aircraft is very tough and Air Niugini board and management are to be complemented for securing this aircraft through Icelandic Air.
“Our international passenger number has increased and with the intended demand from resource projects, this aircraft will be a valuable asset to Air Niugini and PNG as a nation,” he said.
According to Air Niugini, the new B767-300 flagship offers 30 business class and 184 economy class seats with greater seat pitch in both cabins which means there is more leg room for passengers.
The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney 4000 engines, has a maximum take off weight of 181,436kg and 144.7 cubic metres of cargo capacity, which will also provide adequate cargo movement.
This aircraft replaces a previously leased Airbus A310 wide-body aircraft from White Airways, which was both flown by White Airways’ own pilots and cabin crew, and was also maintained by the same company.
The Airbus A310 has since been returned.
