Air Niugini Expands A220 Fleet with Additional Order
Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea, has placed a firm order for two additional Airbus A220-100 aircraft, reinforcing its commitment to fleet modernization. This latest order follows an initial purchase agreement signed in 2023 for six A220s. The carrier has also secured lease agreements for three A220-300s from U.S.-based lessor Azorra.
The announcement coincides with a key production milestone: the airline’s first A220 has entered final assembly at Airbus’ Mirabel facility in Canada.
Air Niugini CEO Gary Seddon stated, “The A220 will form the cornerstone of our domestic and regional operations, supporting Papua New Guinea’s economic development. As we anticipate continued growth, we’ve opted to expand our A220 fleet. This fuel-efficient aircraft brings a new level of performance and passenger comfort to our services.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft, commented, “This marks Air Niugini’s second A220 order. We’re proud to support the airline’s fleet renewal strategy. The A220 offers exceptional efficiency, a spacious cabin, and the range to cover the airline’s entire network non-stop.”
The A220 stands out as the most advanced aircraft in its class, combining long range and low fuel burn. It can carry between 100 to 160 passengers on flights up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 kilometers). The A220-100 is ideal for markets requiring 100–135 seats, while the larger A220-300 caters to the 120–160 seat segment.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF engines, the A220 delivers a 25% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft. It is currently certified to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with Airbus targeting 100% SAF capability across its entire fleet 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 A220 is in service with 24 operators, flying over 1,600 routes to more than 470 destinations globally—underscoring its leadership in the small single-aisle market.
