Qantas has inaugurated a significant new non-stop flight route between Australia and Papua New Guinea. This marks the airline’s first commercial passenger service between Sydney and Port Moresby in over fifty years. The route will be serviced by Boeing 737 aircraft, with two return flights scheduled every week. These flights complement Qantas’ existing daily service between Brisbane and Port Moresby.
Cam Wallace, Qantas International’s chief executive, expressed optimism about the new route, emphasizing its role in strengthening ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea. He highlighted the growing demand from the business community for direct travel between the two countries. Additionally, Wallace noted that the new Sydney service would save customers at least three hours in travel time on round trips by eliminating the need for a stopover in Brisbane.
Qantas has a longstanding history with Papua New Guinea, dating back to the 1940s when it operated light aircraft for local operations in Lae. The Sydney – Port Moresby – Lae route was established in 1950 using the four-engine DC4 Skymaster aircraft. In 1959, Port Moresby served as a refuelling point for Qantas flights to Hong Kong.
While Papua New Guinea is renowned for attractions like the historic Kokoda Track, recent incidents of tribal violence have raised concerns. Last month, dozens were killed in such violence. As a result, the official government advice from Smartraveller urges visitors to exercise a high degree of caution due to elevated levels of serious crime, with specific areas experiencing even higher risks.
For More Details: Click Here