Air Niugini has been around since November 1973 - almost two years before independence.
Prior to 1973 PNG's major internal air services were provided by the Australian carriers, Ansett and Trans Australia Airways (TAA). Earlier on QANTAS provided services as well.
Ansett has since gone out of business and TAA is now part of QANTAS.
With the creation of the National Airline Commission, Air Niugini was formed – although, if the competition launched by a local PNG newspaper was any indication, the favourite name for the National Airline was Kumul Air Services.
Old Air Niugini logo Miscellaneous Charges Order (MCO)