Air Niugini Strengthens Its Fleet: Acquires Two Additional Airbus A220
Air Niugini, the leading airline of Papua New Guinea, has confirmed the purchase of two additional Airbus A220-100 aircraft. This new acquisition complements the initial order placed in 2023, which included six units of the same model, marking a key milestone in the company’s ambitious fleet renewal plan.
A Modern Fleet for an Expanding Future
The announcement comes at a significant moment: Air Niugini’s first Airbus A220 has entered the final assembly phase at Airbus’ facilities in Mirabel, Canada. This stage symbolizes the tangible beginning of the airline’s transformation, as it seeks to modernize its domestic and regional operations.
In addition to the direct order with Airbus, the company has signed leasing agreements with U.S.-based Azorra to incorporate three A220-300 units, further diversifying the capabilities within the same aircraft family.
→ Airbus Aims to Expand Its Presence in Malaysia with the A220
Gary Seddon, CEO of Air Niugini, emphasized the strategic importance of the A220 for the airline: “The A220 will be the backbone of our national and regional fleet, supporting Papua New Guinea’s economic development. Given our strong growth projections, we have decided to expand our orders for this fuel-efficient model, which will significantly enhance the efficiency and comfort of our operations.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus’ Executive Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Sales, highlighted the company’s commitment to Air Niugini: “This is the airline’s second order for the A220. We are fully dedicated to closely supporting their fleet renewal program. The A220 is undoubtedly the most efficient aircraft in its category, featuring a spacious cabin and the range needed to cover Air Niugini’s entire network of destinations nonstop.”
An Aircraft with Proven Success
The Airbus A220 stands out for combining the longest flight range and the lowest fuel consumption in its segment. It can accommodate between 100 and 160 passengers, with a maximum range of 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km), making it adaptable to multiple configurations.
The A220-100 efficiently serves the 100-135 seat market, while the A220-300 is designed for routes with demand for 120 to 160 passengers.
As of late April 2025, Airbus has received over 900 orders for the A220 from more than 30 customers worldwide. Of these, over 410 have already been delivered, and the aircraft is currently in operation with 24 international airlines.
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