Air Niugini is Papua New Guinea's national airline and one of the oldest in the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in 1973 and commenced operations in 1974 with its first international flight to Hong Kong. The airline's main hub is at Jacksons International Airport in the capital city Port Moresby.

Air Niugini is one of the few airlines in the world to have a perfect safety record, with no incidents or fatalities reported since it began operating. It operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800, Fokker F100, Boeing 767, and Dash 8 aircraft, as well as a few others, to serve its network of domestic and international destinations.

Air Niugini's history can be divided into four main eras since its founding in 1973. The first era was from 1973 to 1975 when the airline began operations and established its first international route to Hong Kong. This period also saw the introduction of the first Boeing 707, which was the airline's first jet aircraft.

The second era was from 1976 to 1984, when the airline began to expand its operations. During this period, Air Niugini acquired more aircraft, including a second Boeing 707 and a Fokker F27 Friendship. In 1977, the airline started its first international route to Manila, Philippines, and in 1978 it established its first domestic route between Port Moresby and Rabaul.

The third era was from 1985 to 1999, when Air Niugini underwent a major expansion, including the acquisition of more aircraft and the establishment of new international routes such as to Brisbane, Australia, and Taipei, Taiwan. The airline also introduced its Frequent Flyer Program in 1988.

The fourth era began in 2000 and continues today. During this period, Air Niugini has established a number of new destinations, including Singapore, Tokyo, and Dubai, and has acquired more aircraft, including the Boeing 737-800 and Dash 8. In 2017, the airline celebrated its 40th anniversary.

In terms of major milestones, the most notable ones include the introduction of the Boeing 707 in 1974, the establishment of the Frequent Flyer Program in 1988, the introduction of the Boeing 737-800 in 2000, and the celebration of the airline's 40th anniversary in 2017.

Air Niugini has also had its share of incidents. In 1982, one of its planes crashed near Mount Bosavi in the Southern Highlands Province due to an equipment malfunction. In 1998, the airline was subjected to an investigation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for alleged violations of safety standards. In 2006, one of its planes was hijacked by a passenger and forced to fly to Cairns, Australia before being diverted to Manila, Philippines.

Despite these incidents, Air Niugini has continued to be a leader in the aviation industry and is now one of the most respected airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2019, the airline was awarded the prestigious "Airline of the Year" award by the International Air Transport Association.

Today, Air Niugini is one of the largest airlines in the region with a fleet of more than 30 aircraft and a network of over 60 destinations. It has come a long way since its founding in 1973 and is now a symbol of the country's aviation industry.