PAE seeks additional PNG rights

Pacific Air Express has lodged an application with the International Air Services Commission (IASC) for an allocation which would allow it to operate a second weekly freighter service between Brisbane and Port Moresby.

The carrier said in its allocation that it is seeking an additional 17.5 tonnes of capacity on the route, which would allow it to operate a second 737 Freighter service (operated by Airwork) between Brisbane and Port Moresby in addition to its current weekly service. “PAE is presently the sole provider of scheduled freighter services on the Australia-PNG route, and has been unable to meet demand from exporters following the cessation of scheduled freighter services to PNG by Heavylift Cargo Airlines in March this year,” its submission reads.

Available cargo capacity on the PNG route has recently increased to 130 tonnes per week after the two countries negotiated a new air services agreement.