Air Niugini, the flag-carrier of Papua New Guinea, has given timing details of its planned Refleet Program.
The program, which will be the largest-ever capital expenditure in the country’s aviation sector, will see both narrowbody and widebody fleets renewed. The single-aisle part of the equation will see the carrier’s elderly Fokker 70 and 100s replaced by Airbus A220s.
This long overdue initiative is set to revolutionize air travel in the southeast Pacific nation and strengthen the airline’s position in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the airline’s chairman, Karl Yalo.
In total, Air Niugini will acquire 11 A220s – three A220-300s and eight A220-100s – via lessor Azorra.
The company says that the first A220-300 will enter service in September 2025, coinciding with Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence. The remaining two A220-300s will be introduced in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.
The aircraft will enhance Air Niugini’s operational flexibility, allowing it to serve domestic routes during the day and international routes at night, Yalo said.
The A220-100s are scheduled for service entry between 2026-2028, gradually phasing out the Fokker fleet and replacing leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Talo said that the new aircraft would provide an improved passenger experience; with the A220s allowing the carrier to expand its network. The two A220 variants will carry 113 and 138 passengers respectively and enable Air Niugini to connect the country’s capital, Port Moresby, with new destinations across the Asia-Pacific region.
The new fleet will also improve Air Niugini’s capacity and reliability throughout its domestic and regional network, at 30% less operating.
Yalo said that Air Niugini had been a cornerstone of connectivity in Papua New Guinea, linking remote regions to urban centers and facilitating both domestic and international travel. “The airline has contributed significantly to various sectors, including but not limited to tourism, trade, agriculture, fisheries and extractive industries such as mining, oil and gas.
“With the new fleet, Air Niugini is poised to further boost these sectors, particularly tourism, by showcasing Papua New Guinea’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and biodiversity to international visitors.”
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