iscover
Air Niugini has launched A220-300 services into Sydney following their arrival in Cairns.
The PNG flag carrier’s first A220, P2-PGA, landed in Sydney as flight PX1 from Port Moresby at 6pm on Sunday, replacing the 737-800s and 767-300s that formerly operated the service. It is the second international route for Air Niugini’s A220s, with Port Moresby-Cairns commencing last week.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
The expansion comes as Qantas restarts its own Sydney-Port Moresby services, with the inaugural flight QF203 taking off at 10:44am on Monday.
“The deployment of the Airbus A220-300 to Sydney is a significant development for Air Niugini as we continue to modernise our fleet and expand our international reach,” said Air Niugini CEO Alan Milne.
“This aircraft brings a new level of comfort and efficiency to our operations and reinforces our commitment to providing a higher standard of service to our passengers travelling between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
“Sydney is a key destination within our international network. By increasing our services and introducing the A220-300 on this route, we are enhancing accessibility and creating more opportunities for travel, trade and economic engagement between our two countries.”
With the launch of A220 services, Air Niugini is increasing Sydney flights to three per week, operating on Sunday, Thursday and Friday. The 138-seat A220s are configured with two classes and include wider seating, larger windows, quieter cabins, and on-board wi-fi.
“In addition to enhancing the passenger experience, the aircraft offers significant operational benefits, including improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and greater reliability,” the airline said.
In a statement, Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton congratulated Air Niugini on an “exciting new chapter” at Australia’s largest international gateway.
“The introduction of the modern Airbus A220-300 on this route not only enhances comfort for passengers but also reflects a shared commitment to efficiency and sustainable growth,” he said.
“We’re proud to support Air Niugini as it expands its presence in Sydney and strengthens vital connections between Australia and Papua New Guinea.”
Air Niugini is now also competing with Qantas on the route ahead of the entry of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs to the NRL in 2028.
The Flying Kangaroo is operating two 737 services per week from Sydney to Port Moresby, adding around 35,000 seats per year and complementing existing Brisbane–Port Moresby flights.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
