Lufttransport AS, based in Tromso, has strengthened its passenger and cargo transport capability with the first of a new generation Do 228 starting operations in Europe.

The company, which already operates two Do 228s, says the new aircraft will be used for passenger and cargo transport between Longyearbyen and the unpaved airfields in Svea and Ny Alesund on the island of Spitsbergen, Norway.

Clients include the coal mining company Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani AS, the polar research company Kings Bay AS and the Norwegian Coastguard.

Lufttransport AS says the Do 228NG is a versatile multi-purpose turboprop. The company adds: "Apart from the transport of up to 19 passengers, the aircraft can also be configured as a special mission version for various special tasks in the field of maritime surveillance. Thanks to a state-of-the-art sensor system the aircraft is suitable for oil slick detection, border and fishery control as well as for environmental research."

The aircraft manufacturer, Ruag Aviation says the Do 228NG is a completely modernised and enhanced version of the Do 228-212 which was built until 1999. Fuselage, wings and tail unit are manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India and transported to Oberpfaffenhofen.