Air Niugini (PX, Port Moresby) has ended Dash 8-400/Q400 operations following the return of its last remaining aircraft of the type to its owner, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, this week.

According to Skyliner Aviation, P2-PXS (msn 4262) was ferried to Abu Dhabi Bateen on June 22.

Air Niugini is replacing the Bombardier Aerospace turboprops with Fokker 70s and 100s of which it currently operates five and seven respectively. A further four Fokker 70 aircraft are due this year.

“The F70 has significant advantages over the propeller-driven alternatives, such as the ability to fly 35% more distance for the same load and significantly faster," Air Niugini Board Chairman, Fred Reiher, said. "Importantly, the better range of F70 as compared to Fokker 100, Q400 and ATR will provide more opportunities to improve and expand services to the regional South Pacific countries.”