Air Niugini proudly welcomed the arrival of its third brand-new Airbus A220-300 aircraft on Thursday 18th December, registered P2-PGC, marking another significant milestone in the national airline’s fleet renewal program and its long-term commitment to delivering safe, reliable and modern air services for Papua New Guinea.
The aircraft arrived at Jacksons International Airport at midday and was honoured with a traditional water salute, symbolising its official entry into the Air Niugini fleet and a warm national welcome home. The arrival follows closely on the delivery of the airline’s second Airbus A220 on Friday, 12 December, and the first A220 which entered the fleet in September this year in time for Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
P2-PGC was flown to Port Moresby on a multi-sector delivery journey from Mirabel, Canada, transiting Vancouver, Honolulu, and Fiji, before its final sector into Port Moresby. The delivery flight was operated by Air Niugini’s Captain Beverly Pakii, alongside Captain Thomas Oberreiter from Airbus and Air Niugini’s Captain Joachim Ortlauf who was on board as an observer, reflecting the airline’s growing in-house capability and the high level of training and professionalism of its flight crew.
Air Niugini’s Officer In Charge, Captain Samiu Taufa, MBE, said the arrival of the third A220 within a short period underlines the momentum of Air Niugini’s fleet transformation and the airline’s determination to modernise operations after years of operating ageing aircraft.
“Each new A220 strengthens our ability to stabilise operations, increase reliability and provide a better experience for our passengers. This aircraft represents progress, renewal and our commitment to building a future-ready national airline,” he said.
The involvement of Air Niugini pilots in bringing the aircraft home was a proud moment for the airline and for the country.
The Airbus A220-300 is ideally suited to Papua New Guinea’s operating environment. With a seating capacity of up to 138 passengers, the aircraft offers improved range, excellent fuel efficiency and strong performance across domestic and regional routes. Its wider cabin, larger windows, quieter engines and modern interior significantly enhance passenger comfort and overall travel experience.
For pilots and engineers, the A220 introduces advanced flight deck technology and systems that support safer and more efficient operations. For the airline, it delivers lower fuel consumption, reduced maintenance requirements and improved dispatch reliability—key advantages as Air Niugini works to rebuild schedule integrity and manage peak travel demand.
The timing of the aircraft’s arrival is particularly important as Air Niugini continues to manage the busiest travel period of the year. The Christmas season places significant pressure on the airline’s network, with families travelling home, communities reconnecting and demand for air services at its highest.
Each additional A220 entering the fleet provides vital capacity to help clear passenger backlogs, recover disrupted schedules and restore consistency across the network. Following the completion of all Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASA PNG) regulatory and operational requirements , P2-PGC entered commercial service on Sunday 21st December operating PX1220 to Kavieng and Manus, and will be progressively introduced into service on high-demand domestic trunk routes, including Port Moresby–Lae, Kavieng, Manus, Alotau and Rabaul, as well as selected regional routes.
The arrival ceremony was officiated by the Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Hon. William Duma, who reaffirmed the Government’s support for Air Niugini as a strategic national asset.
“The delivery of this third Airbus A220 is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to strengthening Air Niugini and ensuring reliable air connectivity across Papua New Guinea. A modern and dependable national airline is essential for economic growth, trade, tourism and national unity,” Minister Duma said.
“The A220 will transform the way our people travel domestically and establish our country as a true gateway connector between the markets of Asia and the Pacific. A lot has been said about the aircraft, now we must see it do the job safely and sustainability for the people of PNG now and into the future.”
The Airbus A220 fleet forms a central part of Air Niugini’s Fleet Transformation Program, a long-term strategy aimed at progressively replacing the airline’s ageing Fokker fleet, improving operational safety and reliability, and delivering better value and service for customers.
Captain Taufa also acknowledged the dedication and resilience of Air Niugini staff who have worked under sustained pressure in recent weeks to maintain services during the demanding peak travel period.
“This aircraft represents the efforts of our people. Our engineers, pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, airport teams and customer service staff have worked tirelessly, often under challenging conditions, to keep our services operating. Their professionalism and commitment are the foundation of this airline,” he said.
For Papua New Guineans, the growing A220 fleet means more dependable flights, improved comfort and renewed confidence in the national airline. For communities, it strengthens vital air links that support healthcare, education, business and social connections. For the country, it signals an airline better positioned to support tourism, trade and national development.
As Air Niugini welcomed P2-PGC home, the airline did so with pride and optimism—confident that this new aircraft, and those still to come, will play a central role in shaping the future of aviation in Papua New Guinea.
