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Why are flights to Papua New Guinea so expensive in 2024?

Airfares to Papua New Guinea soared in 2024. Flights to Papua New Guinea are expensive now due to factors such as rising demand, limited supply, inflation, fuel prices, closed airspace, and the increase in operational costs for airlines.

Rising demand With more people traveling in the post-pandemic era, airlines have no incentive to lower prices. Instead, they capitalize on spiked demand and raise prices to make up for lost revenue during the period of 2020-2022.
Limited supply In 2024 many airlines are still operating at reduced capacity after the pandemic. Pilot, plane crew, and airport worker shortages lead to flight cancellations and delays, affecting the supply even more. With fewer flights, airlines charge more for the plane tickets that are available.
Inflation Inflation has a significant impact on flight prices, as it directly increases the cost of fuel and labor for airlines. This can be particularly true for airlines that operate in countries with high inflation rates.
Jet fuel costs Fuel is a significant airline cost, influenced by crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. To cope with rising fuel prices, airlines pass it on to travelers in the form of a fuel surcharge added to the ticket price.
Closed airspace Avoiding airspace due to war, political conflicts, extreme weather, or natural disasters makes airline tickets more expensive. Airlines may be forced to take longer routes to Papua New Guinea – which means higher fuel and labor costs.
Airline operating costs The costs of labor, aircraft maintenance, aircraft leasing or purchasing expenses, marketing, etc. significantly increased in 2024. As airlines aim to remain profitable, they must factor in these operating costs when setting ticket prices.
Will flight prices to Papua New Guinea go down in 2024? Historical trends suggest that airfare prices will fluctuate based on the factors described above. As long as the demand for travel to Papua New Guinea is up, so is airfare. After tough years the airlines are in no position to offer discounts for passengers and will likely try to maximize profits in 2024.

How to get cheap flights to Papua New Guinea?

From booking directly with airlines to leveraging frequent flyer programs and curated deals services, the table below outlines effective strategies to help you secure affordable flights to Papua New Guinea. Discover each method, its potential savings, and the reasons it works.

How to get cheap flights
Method	Savings	Why it works
Booking directly with airline	2% — 10%	OTAs and travel agents often add service fees
Flying on weekdays	5% — 10%	Weekend flights tend to cost slightly more
Flying early morning	15% — 20%	Lower demand for flights departing 1am - 5am
Layovers / stopovers	10% — 30%	Non-direct flights to Papua New Guinea often cost less
Early booking	10% — 30%	As departure day nears, airfares start to rise
Flying during low-season	10% — 30%	With fewer people traveling to Papua New Guinea, prices drop due to lower demand
Booking round-trip flights	10% — 35%	Airlines encourage longer commitment by offering discount
Frequent flyer programs	10% — 40%	Discounts, travel perks and benefits to foster customer loyalty
Sales and promotions	10% — 50%	Airlines often offer special promotions to boost demand
Air Traveler Club BEST	40% — 80%	Exclusive, handpicked SuperDeals deliver the highest savings ( learn more )

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Papua New Guinea is open to international tourism

From February 2022, Papua New Guinea permits vaccinated international travelers to visit the country – without pre-departure tests or quarantine on arrival. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required.

Most nationals need a visa to enter Papua New Guinea that should be arranged prior to the travel date (you can apply online via ica.gov.pg/visa). The visa on arrival is currently suspended.

Practical tips

If you are flying to Papua New Guinea from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport—Port Moresby (Jacksons) International Airport POM located 10 km (5 miles) outside Port Moresby city centre, in Saraga.

These are also the best (and cheapest) airports to fly into Papua New Guinea. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce, and airfare decreases as a result.

Best airports to fly into Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby (Jacksons) International Airport — Papua New Guinea has more than 20 airports, including one international airport – Port Moresby (Jacksons) International Airport POM. Among smaller, domestic airports, the most popular are: Mount Hagen (Kagamuga) Airport HGULAE, Wewak (Boram) Airport WWK, Momote Airport MAS, Buka Airport BUA, Goroka Airport GKA, and Daru Airport DAU.

Once in Papua New Guinea, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Air Niugini, PNG Air, Asia Pacific Airlines, and Islands Nationair. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation) and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Papua New Guinea can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Solomon Airlines, Air Niugini, and PNG Air. If you have a layover in Papua New Guinea and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money.

Flights to Papua New Guinea
from United States and Canada

There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Papua New Guinea. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Papua New Guinea, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Papuan national airline Air Niugini has direct flights to Port Moresby from numerous major Asian hubs. You can fly with Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, with Singapore Airlines to Singapore, with Philippine Airlines to Manila, or with Qantas to Brisbane or Sydney, for a connecting flight with Air Niugini.
Papua New Guinea is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Papua New Guinea with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
The best airlines to fly to Papua New Guinea from the US and Canada are: Air Niugini, Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Qantas. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

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What is the best time to book flights to Papua New Guinea?

The best time to book flights to Papua New Guinea is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Papua New Guinea flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.

Airfare prices for Papua New Guinea flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales.

Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.

Don’t book too early

Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.

Peak seasons are expensive

Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays including holidays in Papua New Guinea. If you must travel during peak times, book your flight well in advance.

Avoid last minute

Avoid booking flights to Papua New Guinea less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up.

Prime Booking Window

For long-haul flights to Papua New Guinea, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. This is the “Prime Booking Window.” After some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.

Fly on weekdays

It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.

Opt for early morning flights

To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 a.m.) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand—most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.

Flights to Papua New Guinea from Europe

There are no direct flights from Europe to Papua New Guinea — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Papuan national airline Air Niugini has direct flights to the capital city of Port Moresby from numerous major Asian hubs. You can fly from Europe with Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, with Singapore Airlines to Singapore, with Philippine Airlines to Manila, or with Qantas to Brisbane or Sydney, for a connecting flight with Air Niugini.
Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Papua New Guinea include Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas.
Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Papua New Guinea from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.

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Things to know before flying to Papua
Airlines flying to Papua	Air Niugini, Philippine Airlines, PNG Air, Qantas, Solomon Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Airlines of Papua	Air Niugini, PNG Air, Asia Pacific Airlines, Islands Nationair, Hevilift
Main airports in Papua	Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport (POM) Mount Hagen (Kagamuga) Airport (HGU) Lae Nadzab Airport (LAE) Wewak (Boram) Airport (WWK) Momote Airport (MAS) Madang Airport (MAG) Gurney Airport (GUR) Goroka Airport (GKA) Tokua Airport (RAB) Buka Airport (BUA) Daru Airport (DAU)
Regular price (roundtrip)	✈ €400 – €600 (from Europe) ✈ $900 – $1200 (from USA)

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The cheapest time to fly to Papua New Guinea

The best time to book cheap flights to Papua New Guinea tends to be during the low season – December through March. PNG’s off-peak season takes place at the same time as the wet season – these months are notorious for rain, with high temperatures and high humidity. Travel is not popular, and with significantly fewer visitors everything (including air tickets) is cheaper.

If you’d like to avoid unstable weather, the shoulder season – April and November – is also a good option. It’s a transitional time that sees less rain than the wet season, but it’s still possible to find great flight deals.

The country’s dry season – June through to October – is its high tourist season, and it may be quite difficult to find cheap flights.

Use local airlines, but plan for delays

Papua New Guinea is a challenging country for getting around. Flying is often the most convenient mode of transport, and there are plenty of local airlines (Air Niugini and PNG Air being the most popular) that will take you to remote places. Book in advance to get the lowest prices on domestic flights. For packaged tours, flights should be already included in price.

However, bear in mind that domestic flights in Papua are often delayed due to the weather. You should plan to add a day or two to your itinerary if it involves local flights.

Know your time zone

Papua has two official time zones – Papua New Guinea Time (GMT/UTC +10) and Bougainville Standard Time (GMT/UTC +11). Port Moresby observes Papua New Guinea Time, and as a result, clocks in the capital are 10 hours ahead of Europe (Central European Time), and 14 hours ahead of New York.

Make sure you know your time zone when checking flights and airport transfer times. The departure time on your plane ticket is always listed based on the time zone of the departure airport. We suggest resetting your watch during the flight – it will help your brain adjust to the new time zone and to deal with jet lag.

Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports

Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Papuan airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.

It is always a good idea to bring some cash with you to Papua. Plan ahead and take some US dollars; you can also exchange money for the Papua New Guinean kina (K) in one of the ATMs located at the airports and in larger cities.

Airlines of Papua New Guinea

The national airline of Papua New Guinea is Air Niugini, operating from its base at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby. It is a key carrier in its region connecting Papua New Guinea with countries in Asia, Australiasia, and out into the Pacific. Numerous domestic flights serve the local people in the towns and cities of PNG. Air Niugini’s fleet consists mostly of Fokker jets (Fokker F100 and F70) plus Boeings 737 that are used for international flights. Even though the fleet is not young (the average age of the aircraft is over 25 years), the airline has a decent safety record.

Smaller Papuan airlines such as PNG Air, Asia Pacific Airlines, and Islands Nationair, are mostly focusing on short-haul domestic routes. These budget carriers (AKA no-frills airlines) offer flights at lower prices in comparison to major full-service airlines. However, because they manage affordable tickets by cutting down on their operation costs, they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight refreshments, meals, or onboard entertainment. In most cases, their tickets are fixed and non-refundable in case of no show-up or cancellation.

Flights to Papua New Guinea
from Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand offer robust flight networks to key APAC locations, Papua New Guinea included. While domestic carriers like Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand provide solid options, several major international airlines also serve these routes. These include ANA, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways — expanding your choices for travel between Australasia and Asia.

There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Papua New Guinea. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia. The non-stop flights between Papua New Guinea and Australia are operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air Niugini and PNG Air – Port Moresby is just a short 1-hour 30 minutes flight away from Cairnes, and 2 hours from Sydney. There are no direct flights to Papua New Guinea from New Zealand.
Airlines have different pricing strategies for different routes. Depending on airline partnerships, demand, and even the time of year, a flight to Papua New Guinea could be significantly cheaper from Sydney than from Melbourne.

Compare fares from main international airports in Australia: Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, Darwin DRW, and in New Zealand: Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, and Queenstown ZQN.
If you’re looking to save, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a primary Asian hub, then catch a connecting flight to Papua New Guinea with a regional budget airline such as Solomon Airlines, Air Niugini, and PNG Air.

For the initial leg of your trip, full-service airlines such as Qantas or Virgin Atlantic offer premium comfort and exceptional service, albeit at a premium price. However, many Asian airlines, including budget carriers, operate out of Australia and frequently feature sales and promotions. For instance, AirAsia runs deals to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Cebu Pacific to Manila; Scoot to Singapore; VietJet Air to Ho Chi Minh City; Jetstar to Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo; Bamboo Airways to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing; Batik Air to Jakarta and Singapore.

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Flights to Papua New Guinea
from major hubs in Asia

Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Papua New Guinea look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Papua New Guinea will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Papua New Guinea and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.

40–80% off flights to Papua New Guinea
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Flights to Papua New Guinea dataset

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User Review

4.1 (211 votes)

Flights to Papua New Guinea

If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. The optimal time to book international flights to Papua New Guinea is 2–8 months in advance, with a "prime booking window" at 4–6 months before departure for the best bargains.

In economy class, medium to long-haul flights to Papua New Guinea range from $150 to $600, and can go up to $1,000 for routes exceeding 6,000 km. Round-trip bookings offer savings between 20% and 35%. Strategic planning like early booking, flying in low-season, booking directly with airlines, or chosing a route with a layover can save an additional 5–30%.

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About the author

Maksim Koval

Maksim Koval

Aviation industry expert, digital editor at Tiket2 since 2010, and the pioneering founder of the Air Traveler Club.

Maksim is a Bali-based seasoned travel writer, avid flyer, tinkerer, photographer, motorbiker, animal lover, and the truest evangelist of the company. His dedication to providing valuable insights and engaging content has established him as a trusted voice in the industry.

You can contact him via email at maksim[at]tiket2.com.