Air Niugini has begun receiving Airbus A220 pilots from Latvia’s airBaltic under a 12-month staffing and training arrangement designed to support its expanding A220 operation. The first two pilots arrived in Papua New Guinea on 9 October, with the remaining members of a 30-pilot group expected to join progressively over the next two months. The programme combines immediate cockpit support with local crew development.
The airBaltic pilots will operate alongside Air Niugini flight crews and transfer A220 operating knowledge and instructor-level experience. They will work on 28-day rotations, leaving about 15 pilots based in Papua New Guinea at any one time.
The arrangement addresses a short-term shortage of qualified pilots as Air Niugini builds its own A220 workforce. The airline currently operates three A220-300s and has eight A220-100s on order, supporting a fleet transition intended to modernise its aircraft and expand domestic and regional services.
Air Niugini is using the experienced airBaltic crews while its local pilots complete the training and qualification required to operate the growing fleet. Financial terms and the detailed contractual structure of the arrangement have not been disclosed.