Air Niugini connects Papua New Guinea to the Pacific — and yes, I built a spreadsheet for this one too. The quarantine requirement alone warranted its own tab. This is not a policy you skim; it is one you read twice, screenshot, and print. The cabin and cargo options for dogs and cats are real, but quarantine changes the entire calculus of whether this route makes sense for your pet.

Air Niugini's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.

How Air Niugini handles your pet

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the cabin Not accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Not accepted“Pets in the Cabin Unfortunately, pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin with Air Niugini.”

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Crate must have/beIATA-compliant“when airfreighting personal effects) LIVE ANIMALS (Pets) Booking Requirement/Requests 48 hrs for Domestic 72 hrs for International Shipping/Packing Specification for AVI: Brief and obtain confirmation of IATA approved…”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Air Niugini Cargo accepts pets as cargo if they are accompanied by all the necessary documentation (AWB Export Permit, Vaccination Certificate, and Transit Permit).”
Cargo: Advance booking required Yes“Contact Air Niugini Cargo Department at (+675) 327-3316 to secure your pup's place on board 48 hours before domestic flights and 72 hours before international flights.”
Cargo: Booking methodCargo Office“Contact our Cargo Offices Cargo Facts and Benefits In the Know Benefits Specialized team to handle your DG requirements Freighter…”
Cargo: Crate must have/beIATA-compliant, a carrier“Pets must be transported in IATA-approved crates or cages, and the dimensions must be confirmed with Air Niugini prior to travel.”

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yes“Air Niugini Cargo accepts pets as cargo if they are accompanied by all the necessary documentation (AWB Export Permit, Vaccination Certificate, and Transit Permit).”
Import permit copy required Yes“International Inbound: AWB Import Permit Vaccination Certificate”

Frequently asked

How much does it cost to fly a pet on Air Niugini?
On flights within Metropolitan France, Air Niugini charges from 250 in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Air Niugini charges 250 PGK per one-way cabin journey for a dog. Convert that to approximately 65 USD before budgeting. Book the pet space when booking the ticket — cabin slots are capacity-limited. Confirm the fee at check-in with printed documentation; Pacific regional carriers sometimes apply manual override pricing at the counter that differs from the online rate.
Papua New Guinea has one of the more involved entry processes for pets, and Luna would absolutely disapprove of the paperwork — which is exactly why the prep work starts months out. Every quarantine route needs a personalized plan, not a generic checklist. Use Pawgo's plan-builder to map your specific origin, destination, and animal against the actual current requirements before you commit to any booking.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Air Niugini →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.