PNG Air (CG, Port Moresby) has placed an order for three ATR42-600S, a new short-take-off-and-landing (STOL) variant of the ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop.

The deal was announced during the ongoing Singapore Airshow 2020. The Franco-Italian manufacturer hopes to certify the new variant in 2022 and deliver the first units to the Papuan carrier, a launch customer, shortly after that.

PNG Air will use the ATRs to replace part of its seven passenger-configured Dash 8-100s. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, the carrier's Dash 8-100s are 32.9 years old on average. PNG Air also operates a single Dash 8-100 in cargo configuration, five ATR72-600s, and two ATR72-600Cs.

The new ATR42-600S will allow the airline to expand its network to new destinations in Papua New Guinea, where most of the regional airports have minimal infrastructure. The STOL variant can take-off and land from runways measuring 800 metres.

During the 2019 Paris Air Show, Air Tahiti (VT, Papeete) ordered two ATR42-600S, Elix Aviation Capital signed a Letter of Intent for ten units, and an undisclosed customer ordered five.