Search and buy domestic flights within Papua New Guinea with Alternative Airlines! Discover all the airlines that operate flights between the mainland and islands of Papua New Guinea, and check out our list of FAQs…
There are two main airlines providing domestic flights within Papua New Guinea: Air Niugini and PNG Air. Islands Nationair is a smaller airline which also operates flights.
Find out more about these airlines below; you can follow the links for a full guide, including baggage allowance and information about the onboard experience.
Air Niugini is the national flag carrier of Papua New Guinea. The airline commenced operations in 1973, and serves over 20 domestic destinations across the mainland and islands of Papua New Guinea. The airline connects the following cities, as well as many more: Port Moresby, Lae, Wewak, and Daru.
Check-In Information
Online: Online check-in is available from 24 hours up to 3 hours before scheduled flight departure time.
Airport: Passengers should check-in 2 hours before their flight departure time.
PNG Air also flies domestically to over 20 destinations within Papua New Guinea. The airline commenced operations in 1991 and is based at Jacksons International Airport, near Port Moresby.
Check-In Information
Online: Online check-in is only available on certain routes; check on the airline’s website to find out more.
Airport: Check-in normally opens 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure, and closes 60 minutes before departure.
Islands Nationair is a private airline also based at Jacksons International Airport, near Port Moresby. The airline commenced flights in 1984 and operates charter flights, on smaller aircraft and helicopters, as well as a small number of scheduled passenger flights.
Check-In Information
Check-in information will be confirmed during the booking process.
Travel Air (Papua New Guinea) commenced operations in 2011, but ceased operations in 2016. Travel Air was based at Jacksons International Airport, and operated charter and scheduled passenger flights. When it operated, the airline served 11 domestic destinations in the country. Many of these routes are served by other airlines, including Air Niugini.
Domestic flights are flights within a specific country’s boundaries. In this case, flights will take-off and land within Papua New Guinea. Passengers will depart from domestic terminals, and, in most instances, a valid form of government-issued identification, such as a driving licence, can be used instead of a passport for nationals to travel. Domestic flights are usually short-haul, lasting a couple of hours max.
Papua New Guinea is a country in the southwestern Pacific, and encompasses the eastern half of New Guinea, as well as its offshore islands. PNG has many islands, from New Britain (where you’ll find the large Rabaul volcano) to the wilderness landscape of Bougainville Island. The islands and mainland are stunningly beautiful and biologically diverse, known for sandy beaches and it’s coral reefs. Papua New Guinea really is a diving Mecca, home to WWII wrecks, manta rays, and multi-coloured fish unlike anywhere else in the world.
If you want to see all that Papua New Guinea has to offer, catching a domestic flight could be for you. In no time, you can jump on a flight and explore all of Papua New Guinea’s secret spots.
There are over 500 airports/airsrips across the mainland and 600+ islands that constitute Papua New Guinea. Many don’t have paved landingstrips, and are only accessible via smaller private charter planes or helicopters.
The following are the largest 26 airports in Papua New Guinea, between which most of the scheduled domestic flights will operate between:
| CITY | AIRPORT | IATA |
|---|---|---|
| Port Moresby | Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport | POM |
| Buka Island | Buka Airport | BUA |
| Daru | Daru Airport | DAU |
| Goronka | Goroka Airport | GKA |
| Gurney | Gurney Airport | GUR |
| Popondetta | Girua Airport | PNP |
| Hoskins | Kimbe Airport | HKN |
| Kiunga | Kiunga Airport | UNG |
| Kavieng | Kavieng Airport | KVG |
| Londolovit | Londolovit Airport | LNV |
| Madang | Madang Airport | MAG |
| Mount Hagen | Mount Hagen Kagamuga Airport | HGU |
| Manus Island | Momote Airport | MAS |
| Moro | Moro Airport | MXH |
| Misima Island | Misima Island Airport | MIS |
| Lae | Nadzab Airport | LAE |
| Tari | Tari Airport | TIZ |
| Tabubil | Tabubil Airport | TBG |
| Tokua | Tokua Airport | RAB |
| Wewak | Wewak International Airport | WWK |
| Kundiawa | Chimbu Airport | CMU |
| Losuia | Losuia Airport | LSA |
| Tufi | Tufi Airport | TFI |
| Mendi | Mendi Airport | MDU |
| Vanimo | Vanimo Airport | VAI |
| Wapenamanda | Wapenamanda Airport | WBM |
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The main airport is Port Moresby International Airport (POM), which is also called Jacksons International Airport. The airport is only 8km away from Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea. From POM you can then catch an onwards connection within Papua New Guinea.
Air Niugini, Link PNG and PNG Air operate the largest network of domestic flights within Papua New Guinea. If you’re looking to fly from Port Moresby to one of the country’s islands, you’ll likely find that either/or Air Niugini and PNG Air provide scheduled passenger flights. Islands Nationair also operates a limited number of scheduled passenger and private charter flights.
The country's main international airport is Jackson’s International, which can be found on the outskirts of Port Moresby. The following airlines fly into Port Moresby International Airport: Air Niugini, which flies to international destinations including Australia, Japan, and Singapore; Philippine Airlines, which flies to Manila (in the Philippines); Qantas, which flies to Brisbane in Australia; Virgin Australia, which also flies to Brisbane; and QantasLink, which flies to Cairns (Australia).
Yes, you can book you domestic flights within Papua New Guinea through Alternative Airlines, an online flight search and booking website. Simple type in your chosen destinations and travel dates to begin your search.
