The arrangement will provide Air Niugini with access to the international cargo charter market, allowing the airline to offer its clients freighter aircraft from third party operators managed by Chapman Freeborn.
Through the new venture, shippers and forwarders will be offered a one-stop shop for project cargo with main deck charter solutions to Port Moresby Airport (POM) and onward connections to smaller airfields and unpaved strips across Papua New Guinea. Clients will also be able to utilise Air Niugini's cargo capacity on their current scheduled passenger aircraft which offer the greatest frequency into the country.
The aircraft offered to the market include the highly capable L-100 Hercules which will be utilised to service specialised high altitude airstrips, to assist with the logistics relating to the development of a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the highlands of the country, as well as supplement domestic cargo operations by Air Niugini's Dash 8 freighter aircraft.
The L-100 Hercules is unequalled in its ability to lift up to 20 tons of cargo from unprepared and short airstrips. Chapman Freeborn and Air Niugini are also studying a niche regional freighter for some of the smaller loads required in the country.
Shahe Ouzounian, Chapman Freeborn's Chief Operating Officer, said:
'We're delighted that Air Niugini has chosen Chapman Freeborn as their partner in this venture.
"I'm confident that with their regional capabilities and unparalleled local knowledge, combined with our global expertise, together we will help to further unlock Papua New Guinea's potential for shippers and forwarders worldwide.
"We are very pleased that this partnership allows the national carrier of Papua New Guinea to be an integral part of the air logistics involved in the LNG project in the country and we are proud of our association with Air Niugini.'
Chapman Freeborn has gained a strong partner in Air Niugini Limited. The airline operates an extensive network from Port Moresby on international routes to Asia and Australasia as well as an unequalled domestic network in Papua New Guinea, including destinations such as Lae, Tari and Moro.
Air Niugini will, in turn, benefit from working in partnership with the world's leading aircraft charter company. Chapman Freeborn has a reputation for innovation, expertise and professionalism built up over 36 years. The company has 32 offices in 22 countries and coordinated more than 5,000 charters last year.
