Air Niugini Expands A220 Fleet with Two More Orders
Air Niugini has boosted its fleet renewal strategy by placing a firm order for two additional Airbus A220-100 single-aisle jets, shortly after its first A220 entered final assembly in Mirabel, Canada, Airbus announced on May 28, 2025. The Papua New Guinea national carrier initially committed to six A220s in 2023 and supplemented that acquisition with leases for three A220-300s from U.S. lessor Azorra. By adding the extra A220-100s, Air Niugini is preparing to retire older aircraft and streamline operations on domestic and regional routes while accommodating anticipated growth in passenger demand.
Air Niugini’s CEO Gary Seddon emphasized that the A220 will form the backbone of the airline’s future network: “As we continue to forecast strong growth, we have made the decision to increase our orders for this fuel-efficient type, bringing a whole new level of efficiency and comfort to our operations,” he said. The A220-100, which seats between 100 and 135 passengers, benefits from Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF™ engines, delivering a 25 percent reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions per seat over previous-generation aircraft. With a 6,700-kilometer range and capability to operate on up to 50 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel, the A220 is ideally suited for both short domestic hops and longer regional services across Oceania.
Airbus EVP Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry praised Air Niugini’s commitment to modernizing its fleet, noting that the A220 “is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a wider and more spacious cabin and the range to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s network.” The A220’s advanced aerodynamics and lightweight composite materials also contribute to lower maintenance costs and noise footprints, factors that reinforce the airline’s environmental and economic objectives.
To date, Airbus has captured over 900 A220 orders from more than 30 airlines worldwide, with more than 410 aircraft delivered. Currently in service with 24 carriers, the A220 operates on over 1,600 routes and serves more than 470 destinations globally. Its cabin cross-section offers the widest economy seats in its class, and its low-drag wing design and efficient systems have attracted both legacy carriers and regional operators looking to balance performance with sustainability.
Air Niugini’s expanded A220 order coincides with a broader industry trend toward right-sized aircraft that optimize load factors and reduce per-seat emissions. In a region where geography dictates heavy reliance on air travel for connectivity, new A220s will enable the airline to link Papua New Guinea’s remote communities more effectively, support tourism development and enhance cargo capacity for perishable exports. By coordinating delivery schedules with its network planning team, Air Niugini aims to phase out older narrow-bodies and regional jets, ensuring a seamless transition to the modern A220 platform.
As the first of Air Niugini’s A220s completes its assembly in Canada, airline engineers and cabin designers are finalizing interior configurations that reflect both local culture and passenger comfort expectations. Standard layouts include flexible business-class pods, groupable seating modules and dedicated space for premium cargo and emergency medical evacuations—a critical capability in Papua New Guinea’s challenging terrain. Once in service, the new aircraft will bolster the carrier’s daily operations out of Port Moresby and Lae, while offering seamless connections to Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
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