PNG and Cairns Officials Discuss Expanding Direct Air Links to Boost Trade

December 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM•2 min read

PNG and Cairns officials discussed expanding direct air links between Lae and Cairns, projecting a surge in demand.

Key Points

1PNG Prime Minister and Cairns Mayor discussed expanding direct Lae-Cairns air links to boost trade and tourism.
2Air travel demand between PNG and Australia is projected to surge from 500 to 3,000-5,000 seats weekly.
3Cairns could become a primary entry point and acclimatization hub for PNG workers in Australia's labor mobility programs.
4Broader bilateral ties include a proposed PNG boarding school, cultural projects, and a support base for PNG's NRL teams in Cairns.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Cairns Lord Mayor Amy Eden held extensive discussions in Cairns, focusing on deepening historic ties and expanding opportunities between PNG and Far North Queensland. A key agenda item was the commitment to expand direct air links between Lae and Cairns to bolster business, tourism, labor mobility, and regional trade. Currently, approximately 500 seats per week are available between Port Moresby and Australia, but demand is anticipated to surge significantly to between 3,000 and 5,000 seats weekly in the coming years, driven by economic expansion and increased national airline fleet capacity. A second privately-owned PNG airline is reportedly preparing to launch routes from Port Moresby to Cairns, complementing existing Air Niugini services.

Prime Minister Marape proposed Cairns as a crucial first-entry landing point for Papua New Guineans participating in Australia's labor mobility programs, suggesting a structured arrival and acclimatization center. This initiative aims to prepare workers before their deployment across Australia, strengthening PNG's pursuit of more labor mobility opportunities. Mayor Eden welcomed this proposal, highlighting Cairns' strong existing relations with PNG communities. The discussions also positioned Cairns as a vital gateway for tourists entering PNG regions, emphasizing the need for more regular flights and increased seat capacity.

Beyond aviation, the leaders explored several other collaborative ventures. These included an ambitious proposal for a boarding school in Cairns dedicated to PNG students, linked to rugby league excellence pathways, with potential land donation from a PNG businessman and joint funding from both governments. Cairns also plans to establish a Papua New Guinean Friendship Garden and a PNG–Pacific cultural marker in its CBD, symbolizing deep historical and cultural connections. Furthermore, Cairns expressed interest in advancing cross-border projects in horticulture, disaster preparedness, and tourism through its sister-city arrangement with Lae, a move fully supported by the PNG Government, which views Cairns as integral to future regional integration with Australia.