Air Niugini will officially resume direct flights between Port Moresby and Auckland, New Zealand, starting November 17, 2026. The move will reconnect Papua New Guinea and New Zealand with the first non-stop air service between the two nations in more than 26 years.
The national flag carrier will operate three return services each week. This will effectively halve travel times between the two countries by eliminating the need for passengers and freight to transit through Australia or other regional hubs.
Initially, the new route will be operated by Air Niugini’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft. It will transition next year to the airline’s new Airbus A220 aircraft as more of these factory-fresh, latest-technology planes arrive. Both aircraft types offer passengers a reliable and comfortable travel experience, complete with complimentary meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment.
The resumption of direct services to New Zealand marks a significant milestone in Air Niugini’s network expansion strategy and reflects the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal program. The introduction of the Airbus A220 fleet has strengthened Air Niugini’s operational capability. This allows the airline to boost domestic capacity and restore key international routes while meeting growing demand for travel across the Pacific. More domestic routes will start to experience A220 services as the National Airports Corporation (NAC) continues to roll out its runway and terminal upgrade program.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alan Milne, said the return to Auckland represents an important step in building the airline’s international network and strengthening ties between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
“The resumption of direct services to Auckland is a significant milestone for Air Niugini and for the people of Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. We are delighted to once again provide a direct link between our two countries, making travel faster, more convenient and more accessible for business travellers, tourists, students and families,” Mr. Milne said.
“The Auckland flights are timed to connect perfectly with existing Air Niugini services to and from Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila and Tokyo, further cementing Papua New Guinea’s position as a “Pacific Connector” between the Pacific and Asia. Auckland has long been an important destination for Air Niugini, and we are proud to restore this direct connection after more than two decades,” he added.
This expansion into the Pacific region follows Air Niugini’s recent announcement that it will also restart its highly anticipated flights to Japan. The resumption of the Tokyo route, paired with the new Auckland service, highlights the airline’s strategy to position Port Moresby as a vital transit hub bridging Asia and the Pacific.
Air Niugini has a long history of serving the New Zealand market. Between 1982 and 1985, the airline participated in a unique weekly tripartite service with Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand, with each airline taking turns to operate flights on the Auckland–Port Moresby–Hong Kong route.
The airline later operated its own direct services to Auckland until 1998, when operations ceased as a result of economic pressures arising from the Asian financial crisis.
The return of direct flights reflects renewed confidence in regional travel demand and the strengthening economic, trade, tourism, and people-to-people links between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
The new service is also expected to support tourism growth, facilitate business opportunities, enhance educational and cultural exchanges, assist seasonal worker travel to New Zealand, and generally improve connectivity for travelers between both countries. Passengers travelling from New Zealand will also benefit from convenient onward connections through Port Moresby to Air Niugini’s extensive domestic network throughout Papua New Guinea.
Tickets for the new Auckland services go on sale today through Air Niugini sales offices, travel agents, and the airline’s online booking platform.
