Air Niugini: The Last Generation of Fokkers Still Flying and the Arrival of the Airbus A220

The fleet

A significant part of the fleet is by now historic: seven Fokker 100s with an average age of about thirty years and six Fokker 70s averaging twenty-seven, alongside two Boeing 767-300ERs, one Boeing 737-800 and several DHC-8s. Renewal has finally begun: the first Airbus A220s started arriving in 2025 to replace the Fokker fleet, while two Boeing 787-8s are expected in 2026 to replace the now-aging 767s.

Routes and network

The Boeing 767s connect Port Moresby with Sydney, Brisbane, Manila, Hong Kong and Singapore, while the Fokkers serve regional routes such as Cairns in Australia and Nadi in Fiji, as well as an extensive network of domestic connections to the mountainous areas of the central highlands.

What passengers say

• For domestic connections in mountainous areas, Air Niugini often remains the only practical way to get around, a service perceived as essential rather than as a choice among alternatives.
• The high average age of the Fokker fleet is cited as the main concern by regular travelers, pending completion of the transition to the A220s.

Air Niugini is the almost obligatory choice for those who need to move between the interior regions of Papua New Guinea, where transport alternatives remain extremely limited. On long-haul international routes, it is best suited to those connecting the country directly with Australia, Hong Kong, Manila or Singapore with no intermediate stops.

In the coming years, expect frequent schedule changes as the A220s and 787s gradually replace the Fokkers and 767s: it is worth checking the aircraft type assigned to your route close to the departure date, not just at the time of booking.