note
National airline of Papua New Guinea derives its name from Pidgin English spelling of its nation. Airline was formed when Papua New Guinea gained its independence in 1973. Innitialy it was owned by government of the new nation which held 60% with remaining shares divided between QANTAS, TAA and Ansett of Australia. QANTAS provided management assistance until 1982, when Air Niugini chose KLM instead.
Airline started operations with fleet of Fokker F-27s and Douglas DC-3s. First year of its operation, it handled 350,000 passengers. Airline received its first DHC-7 aircraft in 1975 which was replacement for ageing F-27s and DC-3s. Boeing 707 were used on international routes.
In 1984 first wide-body, and Airbus A300 leased from TAA, joined the fleet.
Airline has become largest corporation in Papua New Guinea. Due to the nature of Papua New Guinea's geography, Air Niugini serves dense domestic network with 20 destinations. Many comunities are connected with the capital only through air service. Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney are served in Australia. Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Manila and Tokyo in East Asia and Honiara and Nadi in the Pacific.
founded - demised (age)
1973 - present (52years)
headquarters
, Port Moresby
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (26)
