Air Niugini orders four Boeing 737 MAX planes

Boeing and Air Niugini announced an order for four 737 MAX 8 airplanes Thursday at the Singapore Airshow.

"The superb economics of the 737 MAX will enable us to increase flight frequencies and develop into new markets which offer significant opportunities for Air Niugini," said Frederick Reiher, the airline's chairman. "We look forward to receiving our first airplanes in 2020."

The previously unidentified order adds to the national carrier's current fleet of Next-Generation 737s and 767-300ERs (extended range) airplanes.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The new single-aisle airplane will deliver 20 percent lower fuel use than the first Next-Generation 737s and the lowest operating costs in its class – eight percent per seat less than its nearest competitor.

Air Niugini operates a robust domestic network of more than 25 destinations from its Port Moresby hub, as well as numerous international routes across Asia-Pacific, including Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Fiji, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Hong Kong, Vanuatu, Japan, and in the near future, China.