Air Niugini Soon to Debut First A220-300

Air Niugini is due to unveil its first A220-300 later this week after it leaves the final assembly line in Mirabel, Canada. Following a series of test flights, the aircraft will then ferry to Port Moresby (POM) in mid-September ahead of entry into service. The airline has already disclosed that Lae (LAE) will be among the first airports to host the new plane.

On August 22, Air Niugini issued a teaser. “Fresh out of the paint shop at the Airbus facility, the aircraft gleams with pride, dressed in our iconic red, black, and gold,” a press release reads. “The A220 represents a new era for Air Niugini and for Papua New Guinea’s aviation landscape.”

Air Niugini has eight A220-100s on order. It is also leasing three slightly larger A220-300s from Azzora, a Florida-based aircraft lessor. The second and third A220s are expected to arrive in late 2025.

Recently Air Niugini CEO Gary Seddon said that Airbus had undertaken technical studies and confirmed that all 15 airports currently served by the existing Fokker fleet can accommodate the incoming A220 aircraft. The A220s will eventually replace the aging Fokker fleet on domestic routes and B737-800s on international routes.

However, due to infrastructure limitations at certain domestic airports, it will be necessary to apply specific flight restrictions to some A220 operations.

“In instances where payload or fuel limits are required, flight operations will be adjusted accordingly to maintain full compliance with safety and performance standards,” added Seddon. “These restrictions are expected to affect only a small number of routes operating into shorter or lower-strength runways.”

In addition to the eleven A220s, Air Niugini will also take delivery of two B787-8s in 2027.

Photo: Air Niugini