PNG Air

The airline was originally established and started operations on 30 June 1987 as Milne Bay Air. It operated as a charter company in the resource development industry. The airline obtained an RPT (scheduled passenger services) licence in September 1992 and received its airline licence in March 1997. With its headquarters and main operating base set in Port Moresby, there are also support staff in Cairns, Australia. PNG Air has 750 staff. In 2008 the airline was listed on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange.

In November 2015, the airline rebranded and unveiled a new livery. It also received its first ATR 72-600 aircraft, to become the backbone of the fleet by 2020.

Destinations

PNG Air operates scheduled passenger flights to the following destinations:

Papua New Guinea

Alotau – Gurney Airport

Buka – Buka Airport

Incidents and accidents

On 15 December 1992, a Milne Bay Air Britten-Norman Islander aircraft struck a mountain near Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Six people were killed.

On 12 July 1995, a Milne Bay Air de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft exploded and crashed into shallow water shortly after takeoff from Dagura Airport. Thirteen people were killed.

On 11 May 1996, a Milne Bay Air Britten-Norman Islander flew into a valley surrounded by high terrain near Oumba. Pilot attempted a 180 degree turn, but crashed into trees. One passenger was killed.

On 9 July 1996, a Milne Bay Air Twin Otter aircraft struck a mountain in cloudy conditions on approach to Mendi. Twenty people were killed.

On 29 July 2004, an Airlines PNG Twin Otter crashed near Ononge, in cloudy conditions, killing two people.

On 11 August 2009, Airlines PNG Flight 4684, a Twin Otter, made a failed go-around in cloudy conditions near Kokoda. The aircraft crashed into a mountain at an altitude of 5500 feet (1676 metres). All 13 people on board were killed.