Air Niugini has announce the successful completion of the Airbus A220 cabin crew program at the Airbus Training Centre in Switzerland. The National Airline stated that this specialized program equips Air Niugini’s lead cabin crew instructors with the skills and certification required to deliver A220 training to the wider cabin crew team, supporting the airline’s long-term training capability and operational readiness. “The program focused on safety procedures, aircraft-specific systems, service standards, and emergency protocols tailored to the A220. Ten members of Air Niugini cabin crew attended the training, and they all successfully passed the program, with flying colours. Additional Air Niugini cabin crew will now proceed to Melbourne, Australia, for further A220 training over the coming weeks as part of the airline’s comprehensive Entry Into Service (EIS) program. The first A220 aircraft is now progressing to the paint shop stage, with delivery preparations underway. The journey to Papua New Guinea is currently being coordinated in parallel with efforts to ensure full regulatory compliance,” Air Niugini stated. Air Niugini said they are working in close partnership with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of PNG (CASAPNG) to meet all safety and certification requirements for entry into service. “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to safety, regulatory adherence, and the successful introduction of the aircraft into PNG’s commercial aviation system. Flight crew training is also progressing at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, where pilots are undergoing A220 type-rating and simulator training to support operations from day one,” the airline said. Air Niugini CEO Gary Seddon said the successful completion of the Train-the-Trainer program in Zurich is a critical step toward building their internal training capability and delivering a world-class onboard experience. “We are grateful for the strong cooperation of our regulator, CASAPNG, as we work together to safely introduce this game-changing aircraft to PNG skies. Air Niugini’s Airbus A220 fleet will begin entering service in September 2025, ushering in a new era of comfort, efficiency, and reliability for passengers across Papua New Guinea and the region,” Mr. Seddon said.