Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has welcomed the arrival of Air Niugini’s brand-new Airbus A220, declaring it a proud moment for Papua New Guinea as the nation prepares to celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary tomorrow.
Speaking before a large crowd including Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, international partners, and Air Niugini staff, Prime Minister Marape said the aircraft’s arrival marked not only a milestone for the national airline but also a defining chapter in the country’s story.
“Today, we see not only a new plane, but a symbol of who we are as Papua New Guineans — resilient, determined, and capable of soaring higher,” PM Marape said.
He commended State Enteprises Minister Hon. William Duma and the Board and management of Kumul Consolidated Holdings, Air Niugini Board Chairman Karl Yalo, the Board, management, and staff for steering the airline through the acquisition, and thanked partners Airbus, Azorra, and financial institutions including the Asian Development Bank for their support.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Captain Beverley Paki, who made history by flying the A220 into Jacksons International Airport, and reflected on her father, Captain Ted Paki, one of the country’s pioneer pilots.
“When our founding fathers were asked if Papua New Guineans could ever become pilots, doctors, engineers, or leaders, they replied with determination. Today, Captain Paki — the daughter of one of our very first pilots — has proven to the world that our sons and daughters can do it, and will continue to do it,” PM Marape said to applause.
Air Niugini and PNG: A Shared Journey
PM Marape noted that Air Niugini was founded on 1 November 1973, just one month before Papua New Guinea gained self-government, describing the airline and the country as “Siamese twins” that had grown together ever since.
“For 52 years, Air Niugini has carried our flag and our people with pride. It has connected remote villages and towns with each other and with the wider world, keeping our nation united and engaged with the region,” he said.
He highlighted that 90 per cent of Air Niugini’s workforce today are Papua New Guineans, reflecting the foresight of the Somare generation who dreamed of a nation capable of training its own people to lead in every profession.
A Bold Vision for the Future
The Prime Minister used the occasion to unveil a forward-looking vision for Air Niugini and its role in shaping the nation’s next fifty years:
• Restoring services to Narita, Japan before the end of 2025.
• Establishing direct services to the Middle East by 2030.
• Launching flights to the east coast of the United States by 2035, to coincide with PNG’s 60th Independence anniversary.
“Air Niugini must grow to become more than our national airline — it must become a bridge between East and West, linking our people and our trade to the world,” he said.
PM Marape reaffirmed that the government would continue supporting the airline through guarantees and partnerships to ensure safety, sustainability, and profitability.
A Call for National Pride and Unity
On the eve of Independence Day, PM Marape urged Papua New Guineans to see the A220 as a symbol of the country’s enduring spirit and potential.
“This aircraft is not just metal and engines. It is a story of perseverance, a reflection of our journey, and a promise to the next generation. Fifty years on, we remain one people, one nation, one country. Let this plane remind us that Papua New Guinea is ready to fly higher into the next fifty years,” he declared.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the service of generations of pilots, engineers, cabin crew, and ground staff who have kept the airline flying since 1973.
“Governments will come and go, but Air Niugini — like Papua New Guinea itself — will live on. May this new aircraft inspire every child in our nation to dream bigger, to reach higher, and to believe that nothing is beyond our reach.”