Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea, has become the 25th operator of the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The arrival of this new aircraft coincides with the country's 50th anniversary of independence from Australia on September 16, 1975. The new A220-300 is expected to land in Port Moresby on Monday, September 15, and will be known as the 'Peoples Balus'.
The addition of the Airbus A220-300 marks a significant change for Air Niugini’s fleet. The aircraft is set to replace older Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 models, offering improvements in fuel efficiency, comfort, and operational range. This move is intended to support aviation connectivity across Papua New Guinea's challenging geography.
"This is more than just the arrival of a new aircraft—it is the dawn of a new era for Air Niugini and Papua New Guinea. The A220 represents our commitment to safety, reliability, and service excellence, while proudly carrying our flag into the future," said Captain Samiu Tagua, Officer in Charge (OIC) and Acting Chief Operating Officer at Air Niugini.