Air Niugini

Flights into Kieta were suspended at the direction of the Regional Pandemic Controller for AROB since October 2021 due to increasing COVID-19 case numbers.

This direction, however, was revoked today (Thursday 13th January).

“In addition, the Regional Pandemic Controller for AROB has advised that, effective from today, COVID tests are no longer required for travellers to AROB, however other public health measures must be observed,” said the airline.

The exciting new site will make it easier for its customers to stay up-to-date with international travel restrictions and entry regulations worldwide.

Air Niugini’s interactive travel restrictions map offers complete information about:

●           Entry restrictions

●           Quarantine measures

●           COVID-19 tests

●           Information specific to vaccinated passengers.

●           Testing labs in Origin and Destination

●           Forms & Applications required

●           Health Insurance

This will continue through the peak travel period, following National Airports Corporation’s advice that the completion of runway works at Lae (Nadzab) and Kavieng airports have been delayed into 2022.

Kavieng is expected to return to Fokker jet operations around the third week of January, instead of this month, whilst jet services to Nadzab are expected to resume in April 2022, instead of January.

Air Niugini has apologized for the inconvenience caused to the travelling public during the peak travel season, however says safety of operations remains its primary concern.

The resumption of Fokker flights follows the completion of runway maintenance works by the National Airports Corporation (NAC).

Since the works on the airport runway commenced early this year, Link PNG has been operating to Madang airport using smaller Dash-8 aircraft, but with passenger numbers restricted to as few as 20 at times because of the shortened runway.

For a period of time in July/August, the runway was closed to even Dash-8 size aircraft.

From 15th December, this will also apply for those travelling to Tasmania from 15^th December.  In a statement, the airline said travel would initially be limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents and special visa holders.

“We do expect this to extend to business travellers and tourists soon after. Parents, or parents-in-law of Australian citizens and permanent residents, who are fully vaccinated are eligible to apply for approval to travel to Australia on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website,” said the statement

Passengers that have tickets to travel to or from Kieta are able to travel to or from Buka instead with no additional charges, or can rebook their flights to Kieta for future dates without penalties.

There are six weekly operational flights to Buka via Air Niugini and daily except for Sundays, using the Fokker 100 or 70 jet aircraft.

For further bookings or information, passengers and customers can contact Air Niugini’s toll free number 1803444 or visit the nearest Air Niugini Sales Office or travel agent.

Passengers transferring from other countries through Port Moresby to Manila are exempted and are still allowed to be uplifted provided they remain within the transfer lounge at the Jackson’s airport during stopover.

It is advised that passengers that made prior bookings to travel from POM to Manila on flights departing between 19 and 30 September, will have to rebook for other available flights with Air Niugini or their Travel Agents in October/ November.

For the period of 8^th September to 30th October 2021, the number of passengers the airline is permitted to carry into Sydney has been cut by 40 percent by the Australian government.

“Consequently, we expect that some passengers already holding tickets on PX001 to Sydney over this two-month period will not be able to travel, and will be contacted and assisted to re-book their flights for later dates.

Air Niugini has informed the travelling public that the National Airport Corporation has further shortened runways to allow for maintenance work at both airports.

As a result, Air Niugini flights to and from Madang and Wewak are being operated by Dash-8 turboprop aircraft, operated by its subsidiary company Link PNG.

Even these Dash-8 aircraft have restrictions on the number of passengers they can uplift because of the shortened runway.

The resumption of Fokker flights follows the completion of runway repairs by the National Airports Corporation (NAC).

Since the works on the airport runway commenced in February last year, Air Niugini has been operating to Tokua airport using the 76-seat Q402 and 50 seat DHC-8-315 aircraft, but with passenger numbers restricted to as few as 20 at times because of the shortened runway.