Hong Kong, Sept. 29 -- Air Niugini has been forced to operate its De Havilland Dash 8-200 turboprop to and from Mt Hagen with capacity for only 18 passengers amid ongoing runway maintenance at Kagamuga Airport. Read More The current status of the maintenance works had "further shortened" the airport's only available runway for aircraft operations until October 5. Air Niugini said the capacity restriction of 18 passengers for all services into and out of Mt Hagen was necessary to ensure flights remained in compliance with regulator guidelines, the manufacturer's approved safety margins and aircraft performance capabilities. The airline said its larger Dash 8-300 aircraft was expected to be cleared to replace the Dash 8-200 from October 6, wh...