KLM Fokker 70 aircraft going to Air Niugini

KLM Cityhopper’s fleet of ageing Fokker 70 aircraft are to be replaced by more Embraer 190s and 175s over the coming years.

Now it has been announced that Air Niugini is to purchase seven of the aircraft, adding to the one former KLM Fokker 70 example it is already operating.

The aircraft will operate on domestic and regional routes alongside its Fokker 100 aircraft. The aircraft may also be flown on routes to Cairns, Vanuatu and Honiara in the Solomon Islands.

Air Niugini Board Chairman, Sir Frederick Reiher said the airline’s board and management believes the F70s aircraft are perfectly suited to PNG market due to their performance and operating economics. Subsequently, they were chosen over the closest alternatives, the Dash -8 Q400 and ATR. In-fact, the Fokker 70’s will be replacing the existing Dash8 Q400 fleet at Air Niugini.

Five of the aircraft are due for delivery by the end of 2015, with two more following in 2016.

In addition to Air Niugini, some of the Fokker 70 fleet has already gone to Insel Air in the Caribbean, with three currently serving the airline and four more due for delivery from 2016.