Air Niugini will resume direct flights between Port Moresby and Auckland from 17 November, restoring the only non-stop air service between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand for the first time in more than 26 years.
The national carrier will operate three return services a week, reducing travel times by removing the need for passengers and freight to transit through Australia or other regional hubs.
The route will initially be served by Boeing 737-800 aircraft before transitioning to Airbus A220 aircraft next year as additional aircraft are delivered under the airline's fleet renewal programme.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne said the service marked an important milestone in the airline's international expansion strategy.
"The resumption of direct services to Auckland is a significant milestone for Air Niugini and for the people of Papua New Guinea and New Zealand," Milne said.
"We are delighted to once again provide a direct link between our two countries, making travel faster, more convenient and more accessible for business travellers, tourists, students and families."
Milne said the Auckland schedule had been designed to connect with Air Niugini's services to Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila and Tokyo, strengthening Port Moresby's role as a regional aviation hub linking the Pacific with Asia.
The airline previously operated direct Auckland services until 1998, when flights were suspended because of economic pressures stemming from the Asian financial crisis.
Before that, Air Niugini participated in a weekly tripartite service with Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand between Auckland, Port Moresby and Hong Kong from 1982 to 1985.
The airline said the resumption of the route reflects growing demand for travel across the Pacific and strengthening trade, tourism and people-to-people links between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
The service is also expected to support tourism, business travel, educational and cultural exchanges, seasonal worker movements and freight connectivity between the two countries.
Passengers arriving in Port Moresby from Auckland will also have onward access to Air Niugini's domestic network across Papua New Guinea.
Tickets for the new service are now available through Air Niugini sales offices, travel agents and the airline's online booking platform.
