PAPUA NEW GUINEA’s National flag carrier, Air Niugini will resume its direct flights from Port Moresby to Tokyo, Japan starting on 18th July with flight PX 54.
The airline company last operated this route in 2020 and the news of its return marks the airline’s commitment towards expansion in international fights beyond Singapore and Hongkong.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Alan Milne, said the resumption of the Tokyo service represents an important milestone for the national airline.
“We are delighted to bring back this vital route, which is a key milestone in our efforts to expand and strengthen our international network, while further positioning Papua New Guinea as an important connecting gateway between Japan, Australia, and the Pacific Island countries,” Milne said.
With the resumption of this services, Air Niugini plans to operate two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays targeting both businesses and tourists.
Currently Air Niugini passengers intending to travel to Japan from Port Moresby have connecting flights out of Australia or Singapore.
But after 18th July, passengers will fly direct to Tokyo on the six hours and fifty minutes flight, halving the present journey times via other routes.
PX 54 will depart Port Moresby at 2:10pm and arriving at Narita International Airport at 8:00pm PNG Time. The return service will depart Narita at 9:40pm and arrive in Port Moresby the following morning at 5:30am.
Apart from business and tourism travel, CEO Alan Milne says the direct access to Japan is another pathway for medical travel and market cargo shipment of coffee, vanilla beans or seafood exports.
“Port Moresby is strategically positioned to serve as a transit hub for travellers moving between Japan, Australia, and the Pacific, and this service will enhance those regional connections through Air Niugini’s growing network.” Milne said.
“The direct Narita service not only improves connectivity and convenience for our passengers, but also opens greater opportunities for tourism, trade, investment, and cultural exchange between both countries,” he added.
The Tokyo flights will operate using a mix of Boeing 767-300ER and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
