THE PEOPLE’S BALUS ARRIVES ON MONDAY

The new Air Niugini Airbus A220- proudly known as the “People’s Balus” is on its way from Canada to Port Moresby and will arrive in country on Monday 15^th September, a day before the country’s 50^th Golden Jubilee.

According to Air Niugini, the Airbus will touch down at Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby at 10am, a historic event that coincides with the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

The A220, P2-PGA departed Montreal, Canada, on Thursday 10th September (Friday 07:00am PNG time), transiting through Vancouver, Honolulu, and Fiji before its highly anticipated arrival in Port Moresby on Monday.

At the helm is Captain Beverley Pakii, Papua New Guinea’s first Airbus A220 Captain, and Captain Timothy Narara, an equally distinguished Papua New Guinean aviator with decades of flying experience and a proud record of service in both domestic and international operations. Together, their leadership in the cockpit symbolizes Papua New Guinea’s capability and growing aviation expertise.

The arrival will be marked with a traditional water salute and a grand official welcome ceremony at the APEC Terminal. Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, along with senior government leaders, dignitaries, Air Niugini’s Board, management, and loyal staff, will join the nation in welcoming this milestone aircraft.

The Airbus A220 is a world-class aircraft built for efficiency, comfort, and performance. Its advanced design delivers superior fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and greater range—making it ideally suited to PNG’s unique geography and challenging terrain. Passengers will experience a quieter, more spacious cabin and world-standard comfort, reinforcing Air Niugini’s pledge to serve the nation with pride and excellence.

Air Niugini’s Officer in Charge (OIC) and Acting Chief Operating Officer, Captain Samiu Taufa, MBE said, “This is more than just the arrival of a new aircraft—it is the dawn of a new era for Air Niugini and Papua New Guinea. The A220 represents our commitment to safety, reliability, and service excellence, while proudly carrying our flag into the future.”

As PNG celebrates half a century of nationhood, the People’s Balus is ready to soar higher than ever, uniting our people and connecting our land with pride.