ATR - Avions de Transport Régional (EVX, Toulouse Blagnac) says Papua New Guinea's Airlines PNG (Port Moresby) will be the launch customer for a new Combi-version of its ATR72-600 turboprop. According to the French manufacturer, the aircraft will feature a mixed cabin capable of handling 44 passengers and up to 19m³ of cargo.

Delivery of the maiden aircraft of the type is scheduled for later in the year and will mark Airlines PNG's first ATR aircraft to feature among its fleet of fourteen Dash 8-100s.

In the same vein, ATR says it has responded to demand from certain carriers and is also working on a new High Density ATR72 cabin configuration featuring four more seats than the current 74-seat layout. The “High Density” cabin should receive certification before the end of the year in time for service entry in 2016.