Pair of 787-8s to Join Papua New Guinea's National Airline

Air Niugini placed an order for a pair of brand-new 787-8 Dreamliners to support the company's ongoing fleet expansion.

Niugini is, in accordance with its name, the national flag carrier of Papua New Guinea, putting an emphasis on point-to-point connections throughout the Pacific islands. Its international network spends much of its time connecting the Asian-Pacific region, with legs between Australia, Singapore, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands as outlying hubs to funnel tourists back home to Papua New Guinea. The boom in air travel and tourism has added additional cachet to the Dreamliner as a dedicated long-haul aircraft, combining the affordable operation and fuel burn of a narrowbody with the legs of an older widebody. Niugini joins more than 85 customers on the books for 1,600 Dreamliners.

"Signing this contract with Boeing for the purchase of two modern, widebody 787 Dreamliners will enable Air Niugini to grow its network across Asia, Australia, and New Zealand and fulfill its mission as the premier airline in Papua New Guinea, providing the best air service in the region," said Gary Seddon, acting CEO of Air Niugini.

"The excellent capability of the 787 allows Air Niugini to open Port Moresby to more destinations, increasing tourism and economic growth in the South Pacific region," said Erika Pearson, Boeing vice president, Commercial Sales and Marketing, Southeast Asia and Oceania. "The Dreamliner's flexibility, outstanding efficiency and unmatched passenger comfort will enable Air Niugini to provide improved long-haul connectivity to the islands."

FMI: www.boeing.com