Air Niugini Cancels Boeing 787 Order, Left With Uncertain Wide Body Future

Air what?

Don't embarrass yourself.

Thanks for the suggestion. Now go crawl back under your rock.

Huh. I've heard both great and horrible things about PNG. Like, on one hand, untouched natural beauty; on the other hand, you'll get immediately murdered in Port Moresby, so... which is it?

If I were them, I would probably do the same thing. I might try to renew the 767 leases or get the A321 or just operate A220's.

Their longest routes, Tokyo and Singapore, are within range of the A220

PX are not ruling out widebodies, they're just ruling out the 787 which was originally touted by former CEO Mr. W. Kumarasiri way back in the day. PX's needs and plans have changed more dramatically than most similarly-placed airlines in just the past few years alone, and the board responded appropriately. Why? Because the 787 is a better economic fit for longer haul routes than what PX currently operates (6 - 6.5 hours). The 787 deal was on the assumption that at least two long haul routes (one of which was the UAE) would commence. Those planned long haul routes have been cancelled. So PX will continue to operate medium hauls (6 - 6.5 hours on current routes), with Auckland being the newest. Do not be surprised if two a330 frames are announced at a much later date, which would make PX mainline an all Airbus fleet for the first time (excluding their Link PNG subsidiary which operates Bombardier Dash 8 ). For all you 767 classic lovers, relax. The two frames currently in operation will be around for a bit longer than anticipated..

and you think they have no ambition to fly to any other destinations ?? Perhaps, the B787-8 may not be the best choice? A B787-9 may be a better / more appropriate for,? Perhaps, Air Nui Guinea might want to re-sign its fleet to those of its south Pacific neighbours, ensuring easier and more cost-efficient operations. ?

Logical? Probably yes. Manageable? Probably yes, also. Cost effective,? I would probably bet on it.

Let's face it. Speculation can vary from 'spot on' to 'out of the park'. And frankly, Air Nui Guinea is not a well-known or inderstood entity outside of its neighbourhood.

Let's call a spade a spade: the government of PNG is broke. The re-entry of Alan Milne to the position of CEO bodes well for the managing of PX (Air Niugini.)

What PX needs - what it has always needed - is both pragmatism and creativity. Both of which have been difficult to come by under the ownership model (SOE- State Owned Entity) of the airline. Unfortunately State Ownership created this institutional ethos whereby the airline became a plaything for the Government of PNG and all its associates.

The PNG Kina has deteriorated to the point where imports (fuel in the case of the airline) have become an overwhelming imposition. 600 AUD sent via Western Union two weeks ago fetched 2,020 PGK. The condition of the country overall is reflected in PX. And yet creativity is the light in such somber-gloomy circumstances. Under the pragmatic officership of Milne during his first tenure, Qantas Link were bringing their Q400s to POM (Port Moresby) for maintenance. Work was created in POM and space was freed back in Australia. And that very poor PGK rate...ask Qantas Link if they were happy signing the cheque for services rendered.

The crux of the why as to the abandonment of the 787 is not available to us. Nevertheless, it is a pragmatic decision - intentional or otherwise.
The country doesn't need the unnecessary impost of two 787s. PNG should work with what it has. Fly the A220s on the Asian routes and convert the 767s to Freighters. Couture products in the realm of agriculture (as an example) need a dedicated government envoy to encourage and facilitate the creation and logistics of such products into international markets. The 767s as freighters can play a vital role in the logistics sphere. Belly freight is one thing: a dedicated freighter can so so much more. And why not see if PX can get into bed with DHL. Tasman Cargo Airlines represents DHL in the land down under and then across the ditch (New Zealand); and I've seen them on Flight Radar going to Asia.

Weaknesses can be strengths! Having Milne back as CEO and ditching the 787s is the pragmatic restart needed.
Logic takes you from A to B. Creativity takes you everywhere else. Albert Einstein!

The A220 has the range to cover the existing PX long haul routes and can increase frequencies to SIN HKG MNL. They could possibly add PVD NRT ICN. They negative is losing cargo uplift. Solution. Lease a wide body freighter and exploit the Australia to Asia market.

There are 3 relatively cheap 757s ex North Pacific up for sale at moment. They would be a good option for Air Niugini who has leased 757s in past.

First thing comes to mind.
A321 XLR
Would love to read boeings faces when that happens