Air Niugini has announced the acquisition of two additional Airbus A220-100 aircrafts bringing its total firm orders to eight, alongside three A220-300s secured through lease agreements with U.S.-based lessor Azorra. As the first of the new fleet enters final assembly in Mirabel, Canada, this strategic expansion signals a pivotal moment for Papua New Guinea’s national carrier — and for regional connectivity across the Pacific.
A220 to Power Growth and Efficiency for Air Niugini
With fuel-efficient technology, advanced comfort features, and unmatched versatility, the Airbus A220 is poised to revolutionise Air Niugini’s domestic and short-haul operations. The expansion cements the airline’s role as a catalyst for economic development and regional integration.
Air Niugini CEO Gary Seddon emphasised that the fleet modernisation is central to the airline’s long-term growth strategy.
The A220 is set to form the backbone of our domestic and regional fleet and will support economic development,” he said.
The expanded fleet will increase frequency on existing routes and open new ones across the Pacific, improving connectivity for remote communities and enabling smoother business and tourism travel throughout the region.
As we continue to forecast strong growth, we have made the decision to increase our orders for this fuel-efficient type, bringing a whole new level of efficiency and comfort for our operations,” added Seddon.
Efficiency in the Skies
Powered by Pratt & Whitney’s state-of-the-art GTF™ engines, the Airbus A220 delivers up to 25% lower fuel burn and carbon emissions per seat compared to older aircraft — an important step as airlines face increasing environmental scrutiny. Already certified for 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) usage, the A220 is helping Air Niugini align with global sustainability goals.
Airbus’ EVP of Sales, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, praised the airline’s choice, saying,
The A220 is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a wider and spacious cabin and the range to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s network.”
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