Papua New Guinea’s vast tourism potential could be further unlocked through improved aviation connectivity, with locally owned aviation company Heli Niugini positioning helicopter services as an important link between visitors and some of the country’s most remote and spectacular destinations.
With more than 40 years of operational experience, Heli Niugini is looking to expand its involvement in the tourism industry by exploring dedicated helicopter tourism products, scenic flights, historical tours, adventure tourism and private charter services.
The company highlighted these opportunities during the PNG Tourism Summit 2026, held at APEC Haus in Port Moresby from October 13 to 14, where it set up an information booth and engaged with tourism operators and industry stakeholders on ways to improve access to PNG’s unique natural, cultural and historical attractions.
Heli Niugini Customer Account Manager Wallace Takendu said accessibility remained one of the country’s biggest challenges in developing its tourism industry, despite having some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, cultural attractions and historical sites.
“Papua New Guinea has enormous tourism potential, and Heli Niugini is ready to help connect the world to it,” Takendu said.
As a proudly Papua New Guinean-owned aviation company, Heli Niugini believes its aircraft, operational expertise and local knowledge can help connect visitors to destinations that are otherwise difficult or time-consuming to reach.
“Our helicopters can provide scenic flights, private charters, customised tourism experiences and access to remote locations, subject to appropriate landing arrangements and operational conditions.
“For Heli Niugini, it is not simply about transporting tourists. It is about helping unlock parts of Papua New Guinea that the world has yet to experience, while ensuring the benefits of tourism reach our people,” he added.
Among the destinations offering opportunities for helicopter-supported tourism are the Kokoda Track and its significant World War II historical sites, the Sepik River and its rich cultural heritage, the Owen Stanley Ranges, the fjords of Tufi, and remote highlands and coastal destinations.
Through scenic flights, private charters and customised tourism experiences, the company sees opportunities to develop new ways for international and domestic visitors to experience PNG, subject to appropriate landing arrangements and operational conditions.
Tourism Partnerships and New Products
Heli Niugini is looking to strengthen partnerships across the tourism industry to develop commercially viable visitor experiences.
Takendu said the company wanted to build stronger relationships with hotels, resorts, tour operators, cruise tourism providers, provincial tourism authorities and international travel companies.
The objective is to develop integrated tourism packages combining helicopter transport with accommodation, cultural experiences and guided activities.
For example, visitors arriving in Port Moresby could potentially experience helicopter sightseeing over the Owen Stanley Ranges or participate in specially arranged historical tours of the Kokoda region.
Takendu said the company wanted tourism operators to recognise Heli Niugini as more than an aviation service provider, but as a long-term partner in developing and promoting new tourism products for Papua New Guinea.
He said collaboration across the industry would help make these experiences accessible, professionally managed and commercially sustainable.
Kokoda Tourism Among Key Opportunities
One area Heli Niugini believes has significant potential is helicopter-supported Kokoda tourism.
The concept would allow visitors to experience the historical significance and natural beauty of the region through carefully planned tourism itineraries.
Kokoda, in Oro Province, is recognised for its important World War II history and challenging trekking experience. Helicopter-supported tourism could provide additional ways for visitors to explore the region, subject to operational and landing arrangements.
The company is also exploring opportunities to work with tourism authorities, resorts and established tour operators to identify other destinations where helicopter access could create new visitor experiences.
As demand develops, Heli Niugini will evaluate opportunities to further enhance its aircraft capabilities, operational infrastructure and tourism services to support the growth of this market.
Creating Economic Opportunities for Local Communities
An important part of Heli Niugini’s tourism vision is ensuring that the growth of the sector creates economic opportunities for Papua New Guineans.
Takendu said helicopter tourism had the potential to benefit local communities through employment, guiding services, accommodation, cultural activities and other tourism-related businesses.
He emphasised the importance of working closely with local landowners, communities and tourism operators to ensure tourism development delivers shared economic benefits.
“More importantly, we believe helicopter tourism can generate real economic opportunities for local communities through employment, guiding services, accommodation, cultural activities and other tourism-related businesses,” he said.
For Heli Niugini, the opportunity extends to connecting communities, creating new tourism experiences and helping bring lesser-known parts of PNG to the international market.
Heli Niugini sees opportunities to play a greater role in positioning PNG as a premium destination for adventure, cultural and nature-based tourism.
Takendu said the country had extraordinary tourism assets and experiences that few other destinations could offer.
Through stronger industry partnerships, investment and improved aviation connectivity, the company believes it can contribute to making these experiences more accessible to visitors.
Heli Niugini is positioning helicopter connectivity as an opportunity to diversify PNG’s tourism products, improve destination accessibility and expand the economic benefits of tourism for local communities.
