Air Niugini to resume Auckland flights after 26 years

Air Niugini will resume direct flights to Auckland, New Zealand, after a 26-year absence, with three weekly services between Port Moresby and Auckland starting on November 17, 2026.

Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne announced the return of the route in Port Moresby today after receiving International Airline Licence No. 29 from Department of Transport Secretary Matthew Wowoni.

Mr Milne said the licence would allow the national airline to operate direct flights every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The flights will take approximately five hours and 40 minutes and will initially use Boeing 737-800 aircraft before transitioning to the airline's new Airbus A220-300 fleet.

Under the new schedule, flights will depart Port Moresby at 9.30am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Auckland at 6.30pm local time.

Return flights will leave Auckland at 9am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Port Moresby at midday.

Mr Wowoni said adding New Zealand to Air Niugini's existing Australian and Pacific networks would strengthen trade, tourism and regional connectivity.

"The presentation of this licence represents a significant milestone for Air Niugini and Papua New Guinea as the national airline prepares to recommence services to New Zealand after 26 years. It is an important step in strengthening air connectivity, trade, tourism and people-to-people links between the two countries," Wowoni said.