Air Niugini, which I find to be one of the most intriguing airlines that I haven’t flown, has just announced plans to place a massive aircraft order.
In this post:
Air Niugini will acquire Airbus A220s
Air Niugini has just announced that it’s ordering 11 Airbus A220s, including both the A220-100 and A220-300 variants. This was announced on Tuesday at a press conference by Papua New Guinea’s Minister for State Enterprises, William Duma.
The airline intends to take delivery of these jets starting in 2025, and the plan is for them to replace Air Niugini’s Fokker fleet, which consists of six Fokker 70s and seven Fokker 100s.
Per Duma:
“The Airbus A220 can operate both domestic and international routes with more capacity. It burns 27 percent less fuel than the current fleet for the same sectors and has greater comfort and operating efficiency. This remarkable aircraft stands as the epitome of modern airliners in its category, specifically tailored for 100-150 seat segment. It boasts an impressive range of up to 6,400 kilometres, together with spacious cabin, seats and windows, passengers can enjoy high level of comfort during the flight.”
The airline claims that these new A220s are “the peoples’ balus,” and that the airline is “moving from analogue to digital.” The A220 is indeed a great plane to fly, and is one of my favorite commercial aircraft. The A220 has incredible economics and range, and a great passenger experience, given the 2-3 configuration, which means there’s only one middle seat per row.
This order complements Air Niugini’s recent order for two Boeing 787-8s, which are expected to be delivered starting in 2026. Those will replace the carrier’s two Boeing 767s.
Talk about a major fleet transformation!
Currently Air Niugini’s jet fleet consists of Boeing 767s that are an average of 28 years old, plus Fokkers that are an average of 30 years old. The airline also has a single Boeing 737-800, which is 19 years old.
It’s pretty incredible to think that in the coming years, the carrier’s average fleet age could go from around 30 years to just a couple of years. This is a wild transformation.
Of course it’s exciting to see airlines modernize, though I’m sure I’m not the only avgeek who kind of loves the idea of flying a Boeing 767 connecting to a Fokker 70 over the idea of flying a Boeing 787 connecting to an Airbus A220.
I feel like I still need to fly Air Niugini’s “classic” fleet in the next couple of years, before the airline takes delivery of all of these fancy jets.
Bottom line
Air Niugini is undergoing an impressive fleet modernization project. The airline recently announced it would swap its Boeing 767s for Boeing 787s, and now the airline has announced it will swap its Fokkers for Airbus A220s. This airline will look mighty different a few years down the road.
What do you make of Air Niugini’s Airbus A220 order?
As a previous resident of PNG the days of Fokker aircraft ending will be a sad day - fond memories of flights on F-28s and F-27, and a personal favourite was the Britten Norman Islander operated by the smaller PNG airlines!
Agree totally. I miss the good old days of PX's F-28 and flew them right until the very end when the F-70 and F-100 types were introduced to replace it. The thunderous roar on that baby was really something to hear!
Watch Qantas, virgin and alliance buy the fokkers off them for parts
Virgin have endless amout of parts theses will go to qantas more likely
I have family in PNG, so I have to fly a lot. As a kid I flew Air Niugini's 707 in the early 80s, their a300 in the late 80s, their a310 in the 90s, and since the 2000s I've been flying their 767. It'll be great to fly their 787 soon. But nothing will top my first ever Air Niugini flight in the mid-70s (as a mere baby) - it was a classic DC3(!!!) according to my father.
Big problem with airlines like that is the lack of partners and the price compared to alternatives. Some airlines like this do not meet many international standards.
Intriguing airline, and intriguing article too, since there is no mention about where this airline is located and the routes it's planning to operate, especially with the addition of 787s from an all-Fokkers fleet.
It will still fly all the same routes but I heard them say they might start flying to newzealand in the coming years
Air Niugini should also be getting 4 737 MAX aircraft in 2024.
That order was recently cancelled
I’ve been to PNG quite a few times for kick ass diving. Flown on all their planes. I liked the Fokkers but yeah time to replace em. They’re pretty beat up on the inside. If you do go to PNG then be aware they love their betel nut and chew it on flights which isn’t allowed. And it’s like sitting next to someone chewing tobacco and spitting it into a cup for an hour. Pretty...
I’ve been to PNG quite a few times for kick ass diving. Flown on all their planes. I liked the Fokkers but yeah time to replace em. They’re pretty beat up on the inside. If you do go to PNG then be aware they love their betel nut and chew it on flights which isn’t allowed. And it’s like sitting next to someone chewing tobacco and spitting it into a cup for an hour. Pretty gross but that’s their culture. Also they don’t really use deodorant so it can get pretty rank. But for all that I’d go back in a heartbeat.
I'm gonna miss those little Fokkers.
“ This was announced on Tuesday at a press conference by the country’s Minister for State Enterprises, William Duma.”
What country?
Nicaragua
Google says its Papua New Guinea.
I remember up until last year seeing Carpatair Fokkers occasionally in Munich... IIRC they operated scheduled service a few years ago, but upon a quick search it seems like most of their service nowadays is charters. Definitely one of those planes I wish I would have flown along with the BAe 146.
I remember one of my former 767s wound up with Air Niugini many years ago after spending time in Egypt, Eritrea, Venezuela, Ghana and Iceland. The stories that plane could tell...
Massive order for a small airline.
A “massive” order of *checks notes* ELEVEN planes? Hyperbole alive and well .
Pretty massive order for a pretty small airline.
Not that long ago you could fly Fokker and 767 in Europe. I quite liked early morning flights on BA767 to AMS and MAD. Never flew on Fokker, but remember them from Lufthansa fleet.
I still can't get over Air Niugini lost aircraft at Tuuk, so don't think, I will fly with them.
Where is Tuuk ? I’m not aware of such a place
He meant Chuuk/Truk in Micronesia.
According to the Micronesia crash report from 2018:
The report concluded the Papua New Guinea Civil Aviation Safety Authority "did not meet the high standard of evidence-based assessment required for safety assurance, resulting in numerous deficiencies and errors"
I'm not sure I'd fly them based on the report...
I have flown with them often. Love the staff but on the 767 my luggage would, at times, fly on to Tokyo. I assume the 787 with containerized luggage will be better. BUT give me the A220. I hope they do come to New Zealand as rumoured.