Air Niugini has now opened international flights to Honiara, Solomon Islands. Controller David Manning recently announced the new normal and relaxation in travel for Papua New Guinea.
Effective as of 3 October, the new rules will see international flights open for Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Solomon Islands. Previously, flights were only from Australia and flights from other countries had to be approved by the Controller.
Passengers are still required to get approval from the Controller’s office to travel into PNG and must do a PCR test with negative results to be allowed to enter PNG.
Passengers from New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, all Australian states (except Victoria), New Caledonia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Palau and Niue will be quarantined for seven days at home or at a designated quarantine facility once in PNG. Those seeking home quarantine will need the Controller’s approval.
PNG has recorded 541 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and it is now mandatory that face masks are worn in the National Capital District.
Air Niugini is pleased with the easing of restrictions and will be offering a range of sales promotion for domestic tourism.
Air Niugini says due to quarantine requirements in Nadi, Port Vila and Honiara there are presently no scheduled flights to Fiji, Vanuatu, or Solomon Islands.