By EMMANUEL MAIPE
Air Niugini has welcomed to its fleet of
aircraft a new Boeing 737- 700 series aircraft to boost its capacity to serve
international routes, The National reports.
The new B737 is on a long-term lease
from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.
The New Boeing 737 being given the traditional welcoming ceremony by being hosed down by two fire trucks as it makes its way in.- Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU |
Tts
arrival to Port Moresby on Wednesday, has increased the number of aircraft fleet owned
by the airline company to 22.
This includes the Dash 8- 100/200/300
series, Q400, Fokker 100, and the Boeing 767 aircraft.
The aircraft will operate international
routes with the initial flights to the Australian ports of Brisbane, and Sydney,
and then it will operate on Air Niugini’s newest route to Cebu in the
Philippines.
There will be two direct flights to Cebu
in a week, one on Tuesdays and one on Thursdays.
The aircraft’s inaugural flight will be
to Cebu next Monday.
The aircraft may also service domestic
routes once some airport infrastructure in the country is completed.
Officiating at the welcoming ceremony
yesterday, Prime Minister Peter O’Neil said the B737 was the first of its type
to be operated by Air Niugini.
“This Boeing 737 is the first to be
operated by Air Niugini,” he said.
“With its versatility, range performance
and low operating costs, this aircraft I am told, will be utilised on the high
demand domestic routes when our airport infrastructure is ready.”
O’Neil also praised Air Niugini’s board
and management for their commitment to maintain services to the people of PNG
and foreigners despite difficulties faced by the company.
“Let me commend Air Niugini board,
management and staff for their sheer commitment and hard work in ensuring
continuous growth and expansion of Air Niugini, our national asset,” he said.
“I have noted that Air Niugini has
achieved with an unprecedented growth, from a nearly-insolvent airline to a
profitable airline, increasing its aircraft fleet, routes, frequencies and
profitability.
“Within last six years the airline has
created over 800 new jobs for the people of PNG.”
Mean time, Air Niugini board is planning
to acquire additional aircrafts to its fleet.
The board plans on getting three new
Q400, and one more B737- 700, one DHC8-200, and two ATR freighter aircrafts
before the end of this year.
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