Qantas Celebrates Inaugural Direct Service Between Sydney and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea

For the first time in over five decades, Qantas has launched new nonstop service between Sydney and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. The route will now operate twice weekly with a Boeing 737.

On Tuesday (April 2, 2024), Qantas announced the launch of new direct service between Sydney and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea for the first time in over five decades.  The inaugural flight took off on Monday (April 1st) and the route will now operate twice weekly with a Boeing 737, adding over 36,000 seats annually.  The new service complements Qantas’ existing route between Brisbane and Port Moresby.

In Tuesday’s announcement, Qantas International’s CEO, Cam Wallace, said,

“These flights will meet the growing demand from the business community for travel between Australia and Papua New Guinea.  Our new Sydney service will save customers at least three hours in travel time on return trip by avoiding a stopover in Brisbane.”

Qantas Launches Direct Service Between Sydney and Papua New Guinea for the First Time in Over Five Decades - Courtesy Qantas

Qantas originally launched service to Papua New Guinea in the 1940s with two Lae-based light aircraft for local operations.  In 1950, the carrier’s four engine Douglas DC-4 Skymaster began flying the Sydney-Port Moresby-Lae route.  Starting 1959, Port Moresby was used as a refueling stop for Qantas’ flights to Hong Kong.

Source: Qantas