Air Niugini was proud to participate in the spectacular Airshow in Port Moresby last Saturday as part of the historic celebrations marking Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
The airline joined the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and international partners in presenting a memorable showcase of aviation skill, pride, and unity.
Air Niugini’s Boeing 767, P2-PXW, proudly bearing the national colours, was operated by three Papua New Guinean captains – Maurice Rondeau, Esmond Yasi and Samiu Taufa.
Flying under the call sign Niugini 8050, the aircraft performed controlled man oeuvres, including spectacular “go-around” to the delight of thousands of citizens watching from Ela beach.
The air show, coordinated by the PNGDF Air Transport Wing, brought together the PNGDF alongside the Defence Forces of Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and France with ceremonial support from Air Niugini as a civilian airliner.
Just before midday, the skies above Ela Beach came alive as both military and civilian aircraft executed low-altitude flypasts. Air Niugini was honoured to stand side by side with the PNGDF, showcasing to the world not only PNG’s aviation capabilities but also the pride of its people.
Captain Taufa, who is also Air Niugini’s Officer in Charge and Acting Chief Operating Officer, expressed his pride in the airline’s participation.
“This was more than just a flyover – it was a proud moment for our nation. To have Papua New Guinean pilots at the controls of our own national airline’s aircraft, flying over our capital city on such an important milestone, is deeply symbolic. We thank the PNG Defence Force for including Air Niugini in this historic airshow, and we dedicate this participation to the people of Papua
New Guinea. The people saw their own sons in the cockpit, representing the skills, dreams, and pride of our country.”
The event continued over the weekend on Sunday, September 7, 2025, the celebrations continued with a static aircraft display at the PNGDF Air Transport Wing Headquarters at Jacksons Airport. This allowed the public to see up close the military and civilian aircraft, mostly from those participated in the air show at Ela Beach.
