Air Niugini has strengthened its commitment to fleet modernisation by placing a firm order for two additional Airbus A220-100 aircraft.

This new order builds on an initial agreement signed in 2023 for six A220s, bringing the airline’s total firm orders to eight.

In parallel, the Papua New Guinea national carrier has finalised lease agreements for three larger A220-300s from US-based leasing company Azorra.

The announcement comes as Air Niugini’s first A220 undergoes final assembly at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Mirabel, Canada.

Designed to offer a blend of performance and efficiency, the A220 family is considered the most advanced aircraft in the 100–160 seat category. The A220-100 variant covers the 100–135 seat segment, while the A220-300 is optimised for 120–160 passengers.

Both models are powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF™ engines, delivering a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft.

The A220 is also a key element in Airbus’ sustainability strategy, with the current fleet certified to operate on up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for 100% SAF capability across all aircraft by 2030.

As of April 2025, Airbus has secured over 900 A220 orders from more than 30 customers, with more than 410 aircraft already delivered. The type is in service with 24 operators globally, flying on over 1,600 routes to more than 470 destinations.

Gary Seddon, chief executive of Air Niugini, said: “The A220 is set to form the backbone of our domestic and regional fleet and will support economic development in Papua New Guinea. 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 for our operations.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president sales of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business, said: “This is Air Niugini’s second order for the A220. We are committed to working closely with the airline as we support its fleet renewal programme. The A220 is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a wider and spacious cabin and the range to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s network.”

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