National carrier Qantas launched a new service flying between Brisbane and Port Moresby on October 30th.
The new route is intended to offer customers across Australia and the extended global network with improved connections to Papua New Guinea.
A refreshed 174-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be used to operate the service, which runs daily.
A total of 12 business class seats are available on the flight, in addition to upgraded in-flight entertainment and improved seats with new covers.
It is timed to make it possible for business travellers to arrive in Port Moresby at midday, which makes it possible for meetings to be taken either in the afternoon or next morning, with a return trip possible the next afternoon.
The previous, turboprop-operated service run by Qantas between Cairns and Port Moresby has been replaced by this new service.
A codeshare has been agreed between Qantas and Air Niugini for routes between Australia and Port Moresby, subject to government and regulatory approvals.
Qantas first started operating services to Papua New Guinea in the 1940s, with two light aircraft stationed in Lae for local operations.
Gareth Evans, chief executive officer of Qantas International, explained that there is strong demand for such a route in the corporate market and he hopes this new service will meet it.
"We're really pleased to be giving our customers more seats and better connections on this important route," he remarked.
"Brisbane's a growing hub that joins our domestic, trans-Tasman and international networks - and the clear message from our customers was that it was the ideal base for our Port Moresby operation," Mr Evans continued.
He added that this move means Qantas is continuing the role it has always played in terms of supporting business, investment and trade between the two countries.
