Historic Sporting Debut Prompts New Flights To PNG

The Sydney-based service will operate twice per week from March 2026 on a Boeing 737, adding almost 35,000 seats annually to Papua New Guinea and complementing Qantas’ existing daily Brisbane-Port Moresby flights.

The move comes as the Papua New Guinea Chiefs prepare to make their historic debut in the NRL in 2028 following a $600 million deal with the Australian government.

The route will support increased travel in both directions, providing additional capacity for the sporting and leisure traffic expected between the two cities.

“We’re seeing growth in business travel between Sydney and Port Moresby and that’s building further as PNG ramps up preparations for Australia’s premier rugby league competition in 2028,” said Cam Wallace, Qantas CEO International.

“The preparation work alone is generating travel and once the team starts playing and fans and teams are travelling for matches, we expect that to increase significantly.”

Key Route Information and History

• The route will operate year-round on a Boeing 737 aircraft twice per week.

• Sydney – Port Moresby will operate as QF203/204 on Mondays and Fridays.

• Qantas has operated to Papua New Guinea since the 1940s with two light aircraft stationed in Lae for local operations.

• Qantas’ four engine DC4 Skymaster began flying the Sydney – Port Moresby – Lae route in 1950 and in 1959, Port Moresby was used as a refuelling point for Qantas flights to Hong Kong.

“These new flights will bring our communities even closer together making it easier for fans, families, businesses and students to travel, share experiences and support PNG’s NRL team on home and away soil,” said Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs.

https://www.qantas.com/en-au