Air Niugini will resume direct flights between Port Moresby and Tokyo on July 18, restoring a key international route suspended since 2020 and strengthening air links between Papua New Guinea, Japan and the wider Pacific.
The national carrier will operate two weekly services every Wednesday and Saturday between Port Moresby and Tokyo's Narita International Airport.
Flight PX54 will depart Port Moresby at 2:10 p.m. and arrive in Tokyo at 8:00 p.m. after a journey of about six hours and 50 minutes. The return service will leave Narita at 9:40 p.m. and arrive in Port Moresby at 5:30 a.m. the following day.
Air Niugini said the direct service will cut travel times by about half compared with itineraries requiring connections through other hubs.
Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne said the route's return marks an important milestone in rebuilding the airline's international network while strengthening Papua New Guinea's connectivity with Asia and the Pacific.
"We are delighted to bring back this vital route, which is a key milestone in our efforts to expand and strengthen our international network, while further positioning Papua New Guinea as an important connecting gateway between Japan, Australia, and the Pacific Island countries," Milne said.
He said Port Moresby is strategically positioned to serve as a transit hub for passengers travelling between Japan, Australia and Pacific island nations, with the resumed service providing improved onward connections through Air Niugini's domestic and regional network.
The airline said travelers from Japan will gain easier access to destinations across Papua New Guinea, Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and other Pacific locations served by Air Niugini and its partner airlines. Passengers from Papua New Guinea and neighboring Pacific countries will also benefit from more convenient access to Japan for tourism, business, education and medical travel.
Milne said the resumed service is also expected to boost trade by providing faster cargo links for Papua New Guinea exports, including coffee, vanilla, seafood and other high-value products destined for the Japanese market.
The Tokyo route will be operated using a mix of Boeing 767-300ER and Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Air Niugini said all international flights include complimentary meals and beverages, in-flight entertainment and a 30-kilogram checked baggage allowance, while Business Class passengers and Kumul Club members receive additional travel benefits.
The airline is offering introductory promotional fares to mark the return of the Port Moresby–Tokyo service, with tickets available through Air Niugini sales offices, travel agents and online booking platforms.
The resumption of direct services comes as Air Niugini continues to restore and expand its international network following the pandemic, while supporting tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people links between Papua New Guinea and Japan.
