Air Niugini’s First A220 Flies In
Air Niugini’s first A220-300 has ferried into Port Moresby (POM). The aircraft, P2-PGA (msn 55388), arrived to a water salute on September 15, 2026, having from flown from the Airbus facility at Mirabel (Montreal) (YMX) via Vancouver (YVR), Honolulu (HNL), and Nadi (NAN). The aircraft touched down in Papua New Guinea around 10.30 am local time.
The aircraft’s arrival deliberately coincides with the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence. Several significant celebrations and announcements are expected this week. Air Niugini has heavily promoted their first Airbus jet. However, what would have been a major local news story is being eclipsed by other independence anniversary happenings.
Overshadowed by Papua New Guinea independence celebrations
Air Niugini released a muted media statement on Monday noting P2-PGA’s arrival. However, alongside airline employees, meeting the plane at Port Moresby was Prime Minister James Marap and Cardinal Sir John Ribat. Marap talked the event up.
“This aircraft is not just metal and engines,” said Marap. “It is a story of perseverance, a reflection of our journey.”
P2-PGA is the first of eleven A220s Air Niugini has ordered. It is expecting the second in October and the third in December. Three of the eleven are A220-300s leased from Azzora. The remaining eight are slightly smaller A220-100s, which the airline is sourcing directly from Airbus.
"Azorra is honored to partner with Air Niugini and the proud people of Papua New Guinea in delivering the airline’s first Airbus A220," said Azzora CEO John Evans.
"The A220 is poised to become the centrepiece of the airline's regional and international fleet, providing a new level of operational efficiency and passenger comfort," reads an Airbus statement. "Its unmatched efficiency, coupled with a spacious cabin and the range to connect various destinations, positions it as an exemplary fit for the carrier's network and its overarching objectives for long-term growth."
Air Niugini’s first A220 is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest GTF engines. They offer a 25% reduction in carbon emissions per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft.
Air Niugini also has two B787-8s on order at Boeing. Combined, the new aircraft represent the country’s largest ever aviation investment and will see Air Niugini’s fleet of aging and inefficient aircraft transform into one of the region’s most cost-effective and contemporary.
“Air Niugini must grow to become more than our national airline,” said Marap. “It must become a bridge between East and West, linking our people and our trade to the world.”
Air Niugini eyes Japan, Middle East, and United States
The prime minister gave an indication of Air Niugini’s future network plans. He said the airline hoped to restore flights to Tokyo Narita (NRT) in 2026, start flights to the Middle East around 2030, and be flying to the United States by 2035 – presumably relying on the B787 platform.
“Air Niugini becomes the 25th global operator of the A220, the most modern aircraft in its size category,” said an Airbus spokesperson. “It will be perfect for domestic operations in Papua New Guinea, where air transport is often the only means of connecting cities and communities. And with a flying capability of up to seven hours, it will also serve international destinations across the airline’s Asia-Pacific network. All this with a very significant reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions.”
Operating since 1073, Air Niugini has emerged as a major local employer and 90% of its workforce are Papua New Guineans. Helming the ferry flight were Captains Beverley Pakii and Captain Timothy Narara. Pakii is the country’s first female Airbus pilot. Asked about the flight, she modestly described it as “just another flight.”
The airline will use the Airbus jets to replace its tired Fokker fleet, which primarily operate domestic flights. The A220 is tipped to debut on the Port Moresby – Lae (LAE) route. Air Niugini will also use the aircraft to replace some B737-800 operated flights. On leave CEO Gary Seddon has previously said the A220s offered the airline a huge range of new network possibilities.
“Governments will come and go, but Air Niugini, like Papua New Guinea itself, will live on,” said Marap yesterday.
Photos: Air Niugini.