PRE History |
Prior to 1973 PNG's major internal air services were provided by
the Australian carriers, Ansett and Trans Australia Airways (TAA).
Ansett has since gone out of business and TAA is now part of QANTAS.
With the creation of the National Airline Commission, Air Niugini
was formed – although, if the competition launched by a local
PNG newspaper was any indication, the favourite name for the National
Airline was Kumul Air Services.
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History |
The original ownership of Air Niugini was:
- PNG Government, 60 percent;
- Ansett 16 percent; (no longer exists)
- TAA 12 percent; (now amalgamated with QANTAS)
- QANTAS 12 percent.
The QANTAS and TAA shares were bought out in 1976 and Ansett’s
in 1981.
Aircraft of Air Niugini
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1973 |
General Manager Ralph Conley.
Air Niugini services were inaugurated on the 1st of November 1973,
when flight PX100 left Port Moresby en route to Lae, Rabaul and Kieta.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, then Chief Minister
of the Territories, cut the ribbon.
Schedules 3 (December) shows eight (8) F27’s and
two (2) DC3’s flying to
Buka, Bulolo, Jayapura, Daru, Goroka, Garaiana, Gurney, Mount Hagen,
Honiara, Hoskins, Kieta, Kavieng, Kokoda, Lae (city), Losuia, Madang,
Manus Island, Munda, Port Moresby, Popondetta, Rabaul, Talasea, Vanimo,
Vivigani and Wewak.
In its first year Air Niugini carried 350,000 passengers (85,000
more than forecast) and flew more than 27,000 hours.
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1974 |
General Manager Ralph Conley.
Air Niugini was able to make a profit in its first calendar year
of operation.
With no road linking the capital Port Moresby to other centres
and the immense distances and time constraints associated with shipping,
few airlines in the world play such a crucial role in the country's
economy and basic transport needs as Air Niugini.
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1975 |
General Manager Ralph Conley.
Two Boeing 727’s were wet leased (with crew and maintenance
services) from Ansett and TAA to serve the Brisbane – Port
Moresby route while a Boeing 707 wet leased from QANTAS was used
on the weekly service to Manila and Hong Kong. Fokker Friendships
(F27’s) were used between Port Moresby and Cairns.
November Air Niugini becomes first international operator to fly
to Cairns. the old Ansett Terminal was partitioned off to allow for
the arrival and clearance of international passengers.
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1976 |
Chairman of NAC Paul Pora.
General Manager C Bryan Grey took over from Ralph
Conley.
Note:- Bryan Grey passed away in Hamilton, Victoria,
Australia his funeral was on the 12th of May 2001.
First orders were placed for four Fokker F28’s and Sydney
was added to the list of International Destinations.
Data Processing Department Setup.
February first proving flight Boeing B720.
February last regular TAA flight – VH-TJA.
February last regular Ansett flight – VH-RMF.
March -- Bryan Grey takes over General Manager.
July -- First Paradise Magazine (Issue number 1).
October -- Sydney Sales office opened on the corner of King and
George Streets. Bryan Costello first Sydney Manager.
August -- Last DC3 withdrawn from service (1 Aug).
November -- First F28 service from Port Moresby to Lae / Madang
/ Kavieng and Kieta.
November -- First mainframe computer installed and commissioned.
Air Niugini bought out Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) and QANTAS
shares in the airline.
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1977 |
Minister for Transport, Works and Supply -- Mr. Bruce Jephcott.
Chairman NAC -- Paul Pora.
General Manager -- C Bryan Grey.
First two Fokker F28’s arrive. The first had, as part of
the crew, First Officer Aria Bouraga, the first
Papua New Guinean to complete F28 training and obtain turbo-jet endorsement.
First Papua New Guinean Licenced Engineer -– Komini
Kanawi (DC3’s).
January Last Boeing B720 flight P2-ANG (off PNG Register 2nd February
1977).
First Boeing B707 flight P2-ANH.
April First Boeing B707 flight to Hong Kong taking 6 hours and
10 minutes. The assistant to the PX General Manager, Bart
Philemon was on board.
Early 1977 Inaugural Kagoshima Flight -- Japan.
July 15th -- Air Niugini Haus officially opened.
31st -- DC3 era officially ended on the 31 st of July.
Staff Cafeteria at Air Niugini Haus opens. Tenders called for construction
of 45 houses at Korobosea. Another 63 houses and 42 flats will be
built later.
Lost Baggage – mentioned in Parliament – for every
1460 passenger only one bag is lost. Internally for every 480 passengers
one bag is lost. Qantas statistics at the same time mentioned one
lost bag for every 370 passengers.
Turbo prop YS11 chartered to cope with Christmas rush from All
Nippon Airways.
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1978 |
General Manager -- C Bryan Grey.
One of the most significant achievements for 1978 was when Captain Minson
Peni became the first Papua New Guinean to take command
of an all PNG crew in a Fokker F27. His co-pilot was Lekwa
Gure now a Captain of the Boeing B767 flagship.
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1979 |
General Manager -- Gerald S Fallscheer.
Mounted P2-ANQ “Larry
Blackman” outside Air Niugini House.
Air Niugini added two more F28’s and two Boeing 707s to its
fleet.
May Boeing B707 P2-ANA onto PNG Register 28 May 1979.
July Introduction of Boeing B707 flights to Honolulu, Singapore
via Jakarta flights.
September Boeing B707 -- P2-ANB onto PNG Register 27 Sep 1979.
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1980 |
General Manager Mr Joseph Tauvasa, the former
Director of PNG Civil Aviation, took over from Mr Gerald
Fallscheer and became the first Papua New Guinean General
Manager.
Air Niugini entered a tripartite agreement with Cathay Pacific
and Philippine Airlines to fly scheduled passenger and cargo services
between Hong Kong , Manila and Port Moresby.
South Pacific Festival of Arts held in PNG.
October first PX Fokker F28 – Port Moresby to Brisbane (P2-ANF).
November Second Licenced Papua New Guinean Aircraft Engineer -- Eddie
Matane F28 Spey Engines.
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1981 |
General Manager -- Mr Joseph Tauvasa.
March First Dual Licenced Papua New Guinean Aircraft Engineer – Eddie
Matane F28 Spey Engines and Airframe.
September P2-ANN -- Dash
7 onto PNG register.
December Introduction of De Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft to
internal routes.
Total of three Dash 7 aircraft delivered and entered service.
National Airline Commission purchases Air Niugini shares held by
Ansett.
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1982 |
Minister for Civil Aviation -- Tom Pais.
National Airline Commission Chairman -- Bart Philemon.
General Manager -- Joseph J Tauvasa.
Fourth Dash 7 delivered. - April 1982 P2-ANP Dash 7 aircraft onto
PNG Register.
In partnership with Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific, Air Niugini
begins flying a direct service linking Auckland, Port Moresby and
Hong Kong.
Air Niugini became involved in the Middle East, ferrying Fijian
peace keeping forces to Lebanon and Sinai in Boeing B707’s.
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1983 |
Civil Aviation Minister -- Sir Iambakey Okuk.
Chairman NAC-- Bart Philemon.
General Manager -- Joseph J Tauvasa.
Dash 7’s begin regular scheduled flights to Kiunga, Mendi
and Kundiawa (and later Tari).
F28 service to Hoskins begins.
Air Niugini signs three year management contract with KLM, employing
four executives from the Dutch airline.
May Air Niugini’s ICL computer was sold to Royal Brunei Airlines
and replaced by a Fujitsu Facom M180 mainframe computer worth about
K2 million. Mr Bart Philemon the chairman of the
National Airline Commission pressed the button to officially activate
the new computer system.
December Last PX Fokker F28 flight Brisbane to Port Moresby (P2-ANE).
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1984 |
General Manager -- Masket Iangalio replaced Joseph
Tauvasa.
May -- Pope John Paul II flew in an Air Niugini
Fokker F28 from Mount Hagen to Honiara. The interior of the plane
was modified for such an important occasion.
Completed sale of Boeing B707’s.
Remaining four Fokker F27’s sold.
November First PX Airbus A300 (P2-ANG – 27 Nov).
Fleet consisted of five F28’s 1000s, three Dash 7s and the
Airbus A300 on lease from TAA.
Eddie Matane checked out as qualified Boeing B707
Flight Engineer. Eddie later converted to the Airbus A300.
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1985 |
General Manager -- Masket Iangalio.
Stopped flying the direct service linking Auckland, Port Moresby
and Hong Kong.
Home Ownership Scheme Introduced by Masket Iangalio.
January Last PX Boeing B707 flight (P2-ANB).
September PNG Celebrates its 10th year of Independence.
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1986 |
General Manager -- Dieter Seefeld takes over from Masket
Iangalio.
Air Niugini declared an operating profit of K7.6 million for the
year.
The first five national cadets for the National Pilot Training
Scheme were selected.
A new Airbus was provided by TAA to replace the original Airbus.
The fleet then comprised of an Airbus A300B / Five Fokker F28’s
1000 / 3 Dash 7’s.
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1987 |
Chairman of NAC -- Michael Bromley.
General Manager -- Dieter Seefeld.
P2-ANG Big Bird A300 (air niugini in lowercase).
One Dash 7 sold and a Fokker F28 1000 purchased during the year.
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1988 |
Minister for Civil Aviation -- Hon Bernard Vogae OBE
and later Sir Hugo Berghuser MBE.
Chairman of NAC -- Michael Bromley.
General Manager -- Dieter Seefeld.
Lekwa Gure First Papua New Guinean Airbus Captain.
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1989 |
Chairman National Airline Commission Mr Mekere Morauta and Joe
Tauvasa.
General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld.
Modernised Ragiana Bird of Paradise becomes the Air Niugini new
corporate logo. This logo suited all aircraft types not just the
widebody Airbus.
March -- Last PX Airbus A300 flight (P2-ANG – 11 Mar) - MSN
134.
March -- First PX Airbus A310 flight (P2-ANA) MSN 378.
November -- First PX Boeing B737 flight (G-BTEB).
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1990 |
Chief Executive and General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld.
March -- Last PX Boeing B737 flight (G-BTEB).
Planning underway to replace Air Niugini’s computerised reservation
system hosted by Qantas (QANTAM).
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1991 |
Chief Executive and General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld.
9th South Pacific Games -- Air Niugini ran a shuttle service of
Fokker F28’s to move athletes at the opening ceremony in Port
Moresby to event centres in Lae. The Game Events were split between
Port Moresby and Lae.
January 2nd Airbus A310 delivered (P2-ANG MSN 549).
July 15th birthday of Paradise in-flight magazine.
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1992 |
Chief Executive and General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld.
In 1992 Air Niugini transferred from Qantam to the Gabriel Reservation
System based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. All messages on the system
travel to Atlanta and return, even if it is from one office in Port
Moresby to another. The SITA network is used for the transmission
of data using specially developed airline protocols develop long
before the Internet was thought of.
October -- Fokker F28-4000 P2-AND (MSN 11118) into service.
Air Niugini carried 125,000 international passengers and 570,000
domestic passengers.
During 1992 / 1993 the Air Niugini mainframe computer was upgraded
in several stages to a Fujitsu M1600 model.
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1993 |
Chairman National Airline Commission -- Sir Mekere Morauta.
Chief Executive / General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld.
Fleet Airbus A310, F28 1000, F28 4000 and Dash 8 aircraft.
Flying internationally to Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara, Jayapura,
Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong.
Air Niugini organizes first travel industry road show to tour four
Australian cities Brisbane; Sydney; Melbourne and Cairns publicising
holidays in PNG. It took 4 days and Asaro Mud man Henry Sibuno from
Komonibi village in the Asaro valley tagged along.
20th Anniversary of Air Niugini
Fleet consisted of:- 2 x A310 / 1 x F28-4000 / 7 x F28-1000 / 2
x Dash 7.
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1994 |
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation -- Hon Avusi Tanao.
Chairman National Airline Commission -- Sir Mekere Morauta.
Chief Executive and General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld.
First Papua New Guinean Director of Flight Operations -- Lekwa
Gure.
December Fokker F28-4000 P2-ANI into service.
Flying internationally to Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara, Jayapura,
Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong.
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1995 |
Chief Executive and General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld.
September -- Brisbane International Terminal opens.
Flying internationally to Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara, Jayapura,
Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong.
Flying Domestically to Buka, Daru, Goroka, Gurney, Hoskins, Kavieng,
Kundiawa, Lae, Madang, Manus, Mendi, Moro, Mt Hagen, Popondetta,
Port Moresby, Rabaul, Tabubil, Tari, Vanimo, Wapenamanda and Wewak.
PNG celebrates its 20th year of Independence.
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1996 |
Minister for Civil Aviation -- Hon Michael Nali.
Chairman -- Joe Tauvasa.
A/g Chairman -- Madiu Andrew.
Chief Executive and General Manger -- Dieter Seefeld succeeded
by Moses Maladina during the year.
March First F28 service to Gurney (Alotau) Milne Bay Province.
June National Executive Council (Cabinet) approved the Corporatisation
of the National Airline Commission.
August Air Niugini Pty Limited (ANPL) incorporated on the 7 th
of August.
September Trading operations transferred to ANPL now ANL.
November -- Lekwa Gure Approved as Airbus Check
Captain.
Flying Dash 7’s F28 1000, F28 4000 and A310.
Flying internationally to Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara,
Jayapura, Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong.
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1997 |
Chief Executive and Managing Director -- Moses Maladina.
March Fokker F28-4000 P2-ANJ into service.
April First Dash 8 aircraft arrives.
May Second Dash 8 aircraft arrives.
June DH8-202 P2-ANK into service.
17 Nov 1997 - P2-ANH msn 11022 - damaged beyond repair at Nadzab,
Lae, PNG after an undercarriage failure.
November -- Lekwa Gure appointed Fleet Captain
Check and Training Standards (Airbus / F28 / Dash 8).
First Air Niugini Web Site Launched – http://www.airniugini.com.pg
Flying Dash 7’s, Dash 8’s, F28 1000, F28 4000
and A310.
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1998 |
Chairman of NAC -- Michael Bromley.
Managing Director -- Andrew Ogil.
a/g Managing Director -- Chris Mek.
July Y2K ready version of Cargo System cut over.
December Passenger Reservation and Departure Control System declared
Y2K ready.
Flying Dash 8’s, F28 1000, F28 4000 and A310.
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1999 |
Chairman of ANL -- Philip Kapal.
Managing Director -- Andrew Ogil.
Air Niugini leased an RJ75 (BAE146) from National Jet Systems in
Australia to cater for the Christmas peak period.
International Routes Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara, Manila and Singapore.
Fleet Airbus A310, F28 1000, F28 4000 and Dash 8 aircraft.
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2000 |
Minister for Privatisation & Corporate Affairs -- Hon Vincent
Auali.
Managing Director -- Andrew Ogil (from Sept Peter
Roberts).
Flying Dash 8’s, F28 1000, F28 4000 and A310 Airbus.
Y2K completed successfully at a minimum of expenditure PX passed
the Y2K test with flying colours.
July Geneva Airline Operations System goes live.
September 2000 - P2-ANJ makes The Drum -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20000927/drum.htm
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2001 |
Minister for Privatisation & Corporate Affairs -- Hon Vincent
Auali.
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Sir Michael Bromley KBE.
Chief Executive Officer -- Peter Roberts.
November -- Lekwa Gure appointed General Manager
Flight Operations and Chief Pilot.
Flying Dash 8’s, F28 1000, F28 4000 and A310 Airbus.
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2002 |
Minster for Transport -- Hon Don Polye.
Minister for Privatisation & Corporate Affairs -- Hon Vincent
Auali.
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Sir Michael Bromley KBE.
Chief Executive Officer -- Peter Roberts.
April Fokker F28-4000 P2-ANR (MSN 11207) into service.
August Boeing B767-319ER (MSN 24875) arrives as ZK-NCE (for one
year).
November Fokker F28-4000 P2-ANS (MSN 11195) into service.
Flying Dash 8’s, F28 1000, F28 4000 and A310 Airbus followed
by Boeing B767 in August.
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2003 |
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Joe Tauvasa.
Chief Executive Officer -- Rod Nelson.
August Boeing B767-319ER (MSN 24875) transferred to PNG register
as P2-ANG (from New Zealand Register ZK-NCE).
November DH8-202 P2-ANX (MSN-463 // 5 Nov 2003) and P2-ANY (MSN-536)
into service.
Information Technology installs a wireless Wide Area Network to
serve Engineering, Air Freight, Commercial and Engineering Training,
Commercial Stores, Catering, International and Domestic Terminals.
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2004 |
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Joe Tauvasa.
Chief Executive Officer -- Rod Nelson.
March - last Air Niugini Fokker F28
left Cairns airport for Port Moresby.
June Fokker F100 - VH-FWH arrives.
September Fokker F100 P2-ANA (MSN 11358) arrives.
December F100 VH-FWH returns due to unavailability of P2-ANB.
Air Niugini experienced a 6.6% growth in domestic passenger numbers
and a 12.4% increase in the international market.
Appointed General Sales Agents (GSA) in Stockholm and London.
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2005 |
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Joe Tauvasa.
Chief Executive Officer -- Rod Nelson.
April -- Introduction of e-ticketing for Staff.
May Fokker F100 P2-ANB arrives -- 1st revenue service was on the
same day (15th May) Port Moresby to Cairns.
June DH8-202 P2-ANZ (MSN 421) into service.
August P2-ANB (MSN 11049) first F100 flight into Madang (20th August).
October -- Optical cable installed between floors of Air Niugini
House.
Air Niugini names its Boeing B767 flagship P2-ANG -- “Bulolo” --
as a tribute to the town of Bulolo, a place that can be truly described
as the cradle of Papua New Guinea aviation, where aviation in the
country really began.
November -- (1st) Rei Logona appointed to General
Manager Service Delivery position
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2006 |
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Jimmy Tjeong.
January CEO -- Rod Nelson departs.
GM Engineering and Maintenance -- Graham Hills,
departs.
May - GM Finance -- Wasantha Kumarasiri appointed
to CEO’s position.
May - GM Marketing -- Jeff Murdoch appointed.
18th July - First Fokker F100 RPT scheduled service to Buka. Operated
by Capt. Mike Rosier, Capt. Naime Aihi and
First Officer Paul Boga in P2-ANB (msn 11349).
Aug GM Flight Operations -- John Cappelletti Departs.
8th August -- Air Niugini recommences flights to Hong Kong (via
Manila).
October -- Singapore office reservations access cut over to embeded
PC's and flat screen monitors. Rest of network to follow.
October -- Captain Danny Wanma appointed as GM
Flight Operations.
International Routes -- Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara, Manila,
Hong Kong (via Manila), Tokyo and Singapore.
Flying domestically to Buka, Goroka, Gurney, Hoskins, Kavieng, Kundiawa,
Lae, Madang, Manus, Mendi, Moro, Mt Hagen, Popondetta, Port Moresby,
Rabaul (Tokua), Tabubil, Tari, Vanimo, Wapenamanda and Wewak.
December - Bombardier Dash 8-315 arrives from Jordan and is registered
as P2-ANM (Aircraft msn = 523) - Official
launch 12 Dec 2006
20th December - Air Niugini launches online
bookings (over the Internet)
Ceo of PX, Wasantha Kumarasiri, at launch of online
booking engine
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2007 |
Chief Executive -- Wasantha Kumarasiri.
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Jimmy Tjeong.
5th January -- Air Niugini sets up General Sales Agency in Suva,
Fiji.
8th January -- Air Niugini introduces new Bag Tag and Boarding pass
printers at Jackson's Domestic Check in counters. (IER equipment).
Boarding Passes now have a 2D barcode which can be read by a suitable
barcode reader.
International Routes -- Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara, Manila,
Hong Kong (via Manila), Tokyo and Singapore.
Air Niugini is expecting the arrival of Fokker F100 msn 11264 -
P2-ANE and msn 11351 - P2-ANF
20th March 2007 - Last commercial flight of P2-ANJ - Fokker F28
- 4000 msn 11219 ?
23rd March 2007 - Inaugural flight via Honaira to Nadi using Fokker
F100
International Routes are now -- Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara,
Manila, Hong Kong (via Manila), Tokyo, Singapore and Nadi, Fiji
10th July - P2-ANQ
finally lands ready for a clean before its next flight. .jpg)
September - GM Marketing -- Jeff Murdoch leaves
the company - Dominic Kaumu acts in his position.
September - Air Niugini "wet leases" a Boeing B767 from Air Macau
- Reg B-MAW (24798) - as a temporary replacement for returned B767
(24785)
Rei Logona moves to head Planning & Special
Projects as General Manager. Rakum Peni now GM Service Delivery
October - Air Niugini leases a Boeing B757 from Iceland Air to carry
out the Fiji / Honaira route - Reg - TF-FII (24760).
Retired Fokker F28-4000 P2-ANR (MSN 11207) still operating on some routes (i.e.
POM GKA POM)
.jpg)
Boeing B757 - TF-FII
November - Air Niugini Engineering carry out first change of a Fokker
F100 engine outside Port Moresby at Hoskins. The engineering team
had to ford rivers and enlist the help of the PNG Defence force.
During the time the plane was on the ground at Hoksins the runway
was closed to jet operations and special dispensation had to be obtained
before the plane was allowed to leave for Port Moresby. Eddie
Matane was one of the Engineers carrying out the work.
Battling poor light |
Fording rivers |
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December - Rei Logona leaves the company.
Air Niugini leases Airbus A310 CS-TDI (MSN 573) from White Airlines in Portugal. This aircraft was previously used by TAP Air Portugal. Boeing B767 B-MAW returned to Viva Macau.
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2008 |
Chief Executive -- Wasantha Kumarasiri.
Chairman of Air Niugini Limited -- Jimmy Tjeong.
Air Niugini has announced extra aircraft for the New Year.
18 Apr 2008 - inaugural POM - SYD direct flight using an Embraer 190 - Wet leased from Skyairworld
19 Apr 2008 - SYD - POM using Embraer 190
The following information is from David Charlton at SkyAirWorld -- The Aircraft is an Embraer E-190, VH-SXK, MSN 1900154 in a 10 Business Class and 84 Economy Class Layout. The aircraft was delivered new in Brazil in March 2008.
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