The board of directors of Air Niugini (PX, Port Moresby) has suspended chief executive Gary Seddon over concerns related to the airline’s readiness to induct the first A220-300 in mid-September. The board is now seeking explanations from him before it decides his fate.
“The information sought from the CEO relates to operations manuals, spare parts, reporting procedures, the availability of the existing fleet and other contingency plans ahead of the new aircraft being introduced to our [flag carrier's] fleet,” chairman Karl Yalo told local media.
The airline expects the delivery of its first A220-300 to Port Moresby on September 15, 2025, ahead of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence the day after.
The first A220, PK-PGA (msn 55388), is expected to enter into service in October, beginning a long-awaited regional fleet rollover from ageing F70s and F100s. It currently operates four and five units of the respective types.
However, doubts persist concerning the airline’s operational readiness, as well as the state of the country’s infrastructure. While Seddon said that all 15 domestic airports served by the airline had already been approved for A220 operations, the National Airports Commission said in early August that only five were approved without restrictions (Port Moresby, Lae Nadzab, Kavieng, Manus, and Alotau). Three more airports are expected to be approved by 2026, one more each in 2027 and 2028, and the remaining four by the end of 2029.
Seddon did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
