Link PNG, second Dash 8-400 has been test flown at Saarbruken, and must be close to delivery.
The first Dash 8-400 P2-PXQ has yet to fly, seen parked on the ramp at POM.

RE Q400s

Why'd they get rid of them a few years ago only to reintroduce them now?

Just curious Kika

NCD: Indeed it did, and most sadly one of the fatalities was a much respected contributor to this site.

RIP the wizard of auz.

Incidentally, I still have the last pm I received from him in my in-box. Just never got around to deleting it I guess.
I never will either.

kikatinalong,

Easy answer: This is Papua New Guinea; "The Land of the Unexpected"

It was flying today with what sounded like a Canadian on the radio.

New CEO and nothing changes.

Yay they anounce a turnaround with a profit and in the meantime 2 Fokker Captains will not have their contracts renewed because they refused to fly an aircraft with a fuel leak. However National's accept an A cat redesignatedd as a B cat

True? Yes I have the internal email.

Chuuk 2 here we come!

Bravo CEO.

From an extremely reliable source, it is alleged, rumor only, Link PNG, which is after all Air Niugini, apparently terminated a 40 years of service National Engineer, just before retirement to avoid paying out.
I hope there is no truth in the matter. It would be shameful if true.

So we have a situation where Link PNG is grounded for 14 days by decree of the PM and his advisors. I hope they use the time to spruce up the aircraft and give them a good clean.

Provincial lockdown affects RPT. Government, police, military, medical charters and freighters will probably still operate.

​​​​​​ https://postcourier.com.pg/milne-leaves-air-niugini/

In an attempt to see how our Pacific region is going.......

Hear that PNG have fared well with the virus with just a handful cases.

And understand that Domestic is, or is about to resume operating, and under a new CEO.

International pax is obviously flat, but think freight on the Boeing aircraft to support the needs of an island State would be OK.

PIXIE is one of the ultimate airline survivors...maybe some of our companies could take a leaf out of their book..

In regards Pixie being a survivor I think you have to compare apples with apples. Pixie is government owned and funded unlike Virgin. PX would probably have folded many times over had it not been state owned. It is supported for a very good reason, like Australia PNG needs an airline. I believe PNG Air is pretty much funded by state organisations too, but correct me if I am wrong.

In the end, it’s the hapless Aussie taxpayer who funds Pixie, albeit not directly. What is it these days? $300+ million a year of aid money being Hoovered up each year.

You'd be naive to not realise that It's an investment that ultimately pays for Australia.

Conoravirus could see Papua New Guinea, Indonesia become failed states - ABC News analysis

The article ends with ..."PNG has been judged by some to be on the verge of being a failed state almost constantly since independence, but rumours of its demise never really materialised."

Well, for what ever reason, PNG together with PIXIE seem to just "tick along"

PNG is pretty isolated and doesn't receive many international visitors, once in the country it's not that easy to travel between towns and cities so they may have been lucky. However with the state of the health system they wouldn't know about it anyway. Hopefully a Chinese businessman didn't infect a hotel worker who went out to a bar and infected his friends, fingers crossed the virus stays out of the slums of Moresby and Lae.

Testing or a lack of will be a problem in determining the true Corona count in PNG, I fear that if it grabs hold there it could spread like wild fire as social distancing could proof difficult in a village environment.
There is also the problem of spitting Buai which will help the spread.
Fingers crossed for PNG this does not happen.

The latest from PNG Air:

https://postcourier.com.pg/png-air-s...inst-covid-19/

TO ALL STAFF

PNG AIR TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT

Link PNG confirmed last month its bid to acquire an interest in PNG Air, in a move that will benefit Papua New Guinean Nationals and travellers.

Link PNG General Manager Alex Kia advised that the transaction is based on PNG Air remaining as a stand-alone airline that will price and sell its own tickets separately from Air Niugini.

Mr. Kia noted “Its is absolutely our intent that PNG shall continue to have two separate airlines, PNG Air and Air Niugini, and that there will continue to be a strong, competitive domestic market with options for travellers”. Link PNG intends that this will be achieved by means of a joint operating agreement between the airlines, which will ensure that PNG Air continues to service its customers under its existing brand and at its own prices. Cabin crew, sales staff and check-in staff will remain in PNG Air uniforms, and PNG Air's aircraft will remain in PNG Air livery. PNG Air and Link PNG will have separate sales and marketing functions, while still achieving the operational cost savings that will enable a stronger and more dynamic airline industry in PNG over the longer term.


Mr. Kia noted the key synergy benefits come from back office functions that can be more efficiently managed across the two airlines, and from a more efficient use of the two fleets. He stated “We believe there is a compelling case for creating a stronger, stand-alone PNG Air, across a wider network, as well as ensuring job security, and certainty for the travelling public. We will also ensure the savings created will be passed back onto our customers.”

Link PNG said it is committed to ensuring more affordable airfares; with the lower prices resulting from economies of scale and through the considerable cost efficiencies that are available.

Mr Kia noted the joint operating arrangements will allow aviation to survive COVID-19, and emerge from the other side as an even larger contributor to PNG’s economic growth and living standards by driving lower airfares and achieving sustainability.

Link PNG requires all regulatory and shareholder approvals, including from ICCC, before the joint venture is finalised.

Alex Kia
A/General Manager Link PNG