Air Niugini CEO Suspended Over A220 Readiness

The board of directors of Air Niugini has suspended CEO Gary Seddon amid concerns over the airline’s preparedness to introduce its first Airbus A220-300. The aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby on September 15, 2025, a day before Papua New Guinea’s 50th independence anniversary.

Board chairman Karl Yalo said the suspension was linked to unanswered questions about operations manuals, spare parts availability, reporting procedures, and contingency planning for the new aircraft. The board is now seeking explanations from Seddon before deciding on his future with the airline.

Air Niugini’s first A220, registered PK-PGA (msn 55388), is expected to enter commercial service in October. The aircraft will begin replacing the carrier’s ageing regional fleet of Fokker 70s and Fokker 100s, of which it operates four and five, respectively. The A220 program has been seen as a critical step in modernizing the airline’s fleet and improving efficiency.

However, concerns remain about infrastructure readiness across Papua New Guinea. While Seddon had claimed all 15 domestic airports served by the airline were cleared for A220 operations, the National Airports Commission clarified that only five airports—Port Moresby, Lae Nadzab, Kavieng, Manus, and Alotau—are currently approved without restrictions. Additional airports will gradually be certified, with full approval for all sites not expected until 2029.

The leadership shake-up comes at a pivotal moment for Air Niugini, as it prepares for a landmark fleet renewal while navigating operational challenges and regulatory scrutiny.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com