In a historic move, Qantas, Australia’s national carrier, has inaugurated a direct air link between Papua New Guinea and Australia. This marks the first commercial passenger flight between the two nations in over fifty years. The new service, initiated by Qantas International, offers a direct route from Port Moresby to Sydney. Qantas International chief executive officer, Cam Wallace, announced the milestone, emphasizing the significance of this direct connection. The service, operated by Qantas’ Boeing 737 aircraft, will conduct two return flights weekly, significantly increasing accessibility with over 36,000 additional seats annually. These flights supplement Qantas’ existing daily service between Port Moresby and Brisbane. Wallace highlighted the strategic importance of this route in strengthening the bilateral ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea. He stated, “These flights will meet the growing demand from the business community for travel between Australia and PNG.” Additionally, the new Sydney service offers a time-saving benefit, reducing travel time by at least three hours for passengers by eliminating the need for a stopover in Brisbane.
Qantas has a long-standing history in Papua New Guinea, dating back to the 1940s when it commenced operations with light aircraft stationed in Lae for local flights. The airline expanded its services with the introduction of the DC4 Skymaster, operating the Sydney – Port Moresby – Lae route from 1950 onwards. Port Moresby also served as a refueling point for Qantas flights to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia in 1959. This latest addition to Qantas’ international network from Sydney aims to foster business and trade relations between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Passengers traveling between the two countries will have seamless connections to Qantas’ domestic flight routes and global network. Moreover, Qantas customers and frequent flyers stand to benefit from various perks, including the ability to earn and redeem Qantas points, as well as premium amenities such as complimentary food and beverages, checked baggage allowance, and access to airport lounges in Sydney. The launch of this direct route signifies a significant milestone in aviation history and opens up new opportunities for travelers and businesses alike, solidifying the bond between Papua New Guinea and Australia. Also read Comments are closed.
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