Air Niugini’s Inaugural Airbus A220 Begins 4-Day Journey to New Home

The first Airbus A220 to join the Air Niugini fleet has embarked on its journey from Mirabel, Canada, to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. This exciting transition marks a significant milestone for the airline.

The Airbus A220-300, registered as P2-PGA, departed from Montreal Mirabel International Airport (YMX) on September 11, 2025. This flight followed the official delivery of the aircraft at the Mirabel Final Assembly Line facility.

Approximately five hours into the flight, the new jet made its first scheduled stop at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). According to Airbus, the A220 will continue its journey with stops in Honolulu and Fiji before finally landing at Port Moresby Jacksons Airport (POM).

A social media update from Air Niugini on September 12, 2025, celebrated the anticipated arrival of the aircraft, stating, “The wait is almost over! In just 3 days, our new Airbus A220 aircraft will be arriving — and we’re thrilled!”

The A220-300 represents the first of three brand new aircraft that Air Niugini has leased from U.S.-based Azorra. This addition also marks a milestone for Airbus, as Air Niugini has become the 25th global operator of the A220, which is now a favored choice among airlines across five continents.

The aircraft is aptly named ‘People’s Balus’ and showcases a unique livery celebrating Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence. Airbus spokesperson noted, “The intricate design was brought to life by a dedicated Airbus team of 120 painters who applied 11 distinct colors using a special airbrushing technique.”

Fleet Renewal to Replace Fokker Planes

As part of its modernization efforts, Air Niugini is undergoing a fleet renewal process, which includes an order for eight new A220-100s directly from Airbus. These new A220s will replace the airline’s aging Fokker aircraft.

The national carrier recently expanded its initial order from six to eight A220-100s in May 2025, further demonstrating its commitment to upgrading its fleet.

Originally, Air Niugini secured an order for six A220 aircraft in 2023, alongside lease agreements for three A220-300 models with Azorra. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft division, stated, “We are committed to working closely with the airline as we support its fleet renewal program. 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.”

The A220-100 caters to the 100-135 seat market, while the larger A220-300 is designed for the 120-160 seat segment. Air Niugini’s A220-300 is configured to accommodate 138 passengers comfortably.

Equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF engines, the A220 can operate using up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), showcasing its commitment to sustainability.

As of late August 2025, Airbus has amassed over 940 orders for the A220 from more than 30 customers, successfully delivering over 440 of these aircraft to date.