Air Niugini’s New A220 “People’s Balus” Nears Completion for Independence Anniversary

Papua New Guinea’s national airline, Air Niugini, is preparing to mark a significant milestone, with its first brand new Airbus A220 aircraft entering the final assembly stage in Mirabel, Canada. The aircraft, aptly dubbed the “People’s Balus” , is scheduled for delivery to Port Moresby in September, coinciding with the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

This delivery will position Air Niugini as the 25th global airline to operate the advanced A220. The carrier has a total of eleven A220s on order, comprising three larger A220-300 series aircraft, seating 138 passengers, and eight smaller A220-100 series models with 114 seats. These latest technology jets are popular worldwide, with over 900 ordered and more than 400 already in service with other airlines.

The new A220s are set to progressively replace Air Niugini’s aging Fokker 100/70 fleet on domestic routes and will eventually also take over services currently operated by its Boeing 737s. While the immediate focus is on enhancing domestic services, the A220’s range also allows it to service all of Air Niugini’s current international destinations and potentially open up new routes currently under consideration. Passengers can look forward to comfortable Business and Economy class seating, along with complimentary WiFi for all customers.

This fleet modernisation comes as Air Niugini navigates a challenging operational environment. The airline has faced difficulties common to carriers in the region, including the high maintenance costs and reliability issues associated with an aging fleet. Operating in Papua New Guinea also presents unique logistical hurdles due to diverse terrain and variable weather conditions, alongside the economic pressures of serving essential but sometimes less profitable remote domestic routes. The introduction of the new, more fuel-efficient A220 fleet is a strategic move aimed at addressing these challenges, improving service reliability, and enhancing the passenger experience.

In preparation for the A220’s arrival, Air Niugini engineers, cabin crew, and pilots have already commenced intensive training as part of a comprehensive entry-into-service program. The airline anticipates the new aircraft will be ready to welcome passengers during the first week of September.

Air Niugini has expressed excitement about the arrival of its new “Birds of Paradise,” promising further updates as the aircraft take shape ahead of their eagerly awaited arrival later this year.