POM · Port Moresby · International gateway

Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport | PNG Arrival Guide

Jacksons International Airport (POM) is Papua New Guinea's principal international aviation gateway and the main transfer point for domestic flights across the country. For most visitors, it is where PNGDAC verification, immigration clearance, baggage collection, Customs and the first domestic connection all come together.

Follow the arrival processPlan a domestic connection
IATA codePOM
CityPort Moresby
Border servicesFull-time at Jacksons
RedevelopmentMajor works underway
Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport terminal
Port Moresby International Airport terminal, shown for airport context.

Why POM matters

The country's main international-to-domestic interchange

PNG Customs currently describes Jacksons as the only airport with a full-time presence of Customs, Immigration and Quarantine services for standard commercial international flights. Although PNG Customs formally declared several other airports as Ports of Entry from July 2026, Jacksons remains the core international processing hub for ordinary scheduled passenger travel.

This distinction matters for itinerary planning: a city such as Mount Hagen, Goroka, Wewak, Hoskins or Alotau may have an airport, but many overseas travellers still enter the country at Port Moresby and then connect onward domestically.

International arrivals

What happens after you step off the aircraft

1

Immigration clearance

Follow signs to passport control and present the travel document and visa or entry authority that applies to your nationality and purpose of visit.

2

PNGDAC verification

The PNG Digital Arrival Card should already have been completed before departure. The 6 August 2026 ICSA directive requires completion before a boarding pass is issued.

3

Baggage collection

After immigration, collect checked bags. Build extra time into a connection rather than relying on an exact carousel-delivery estimate.

4

Customs assessment

PNG Customs says passengers must make declarations truthfully. Depending on your declaration and an officer's assessment, baggage may be selected for inspection.

5

Biosecurity / quarantine

Food, plant, animal and soil-contaminated items can require declaration or inspection. Clean hiking and camping equipment before travelling.

6

Public arrivals area

Once border formalities are complete, continue to your pre-arranged transfer or follow the correct route for a domestic connection.

PNG Customs describes its arrival procedure as designed to be completed within about 45 minutes from disembarkation. Treat that as an operational target, not a guaranteed connection time: immigration queues, baggage delivery and inspections can make an individual arrival considerably longer.

Document preparation

What to keep accessible before landing

Passport

ICA's current FAQ states that passports should be valid for at least six months from the intended date of entry.

Visa / entry authority

Keep your eVisa or other entry approval accessible. A printed backup is sensible, but do not claim that digital evidence is universally rejected unless ICA, your approval letter or airline says so.

PNGDAC

Save the confirmation offline so it remains available if roaming or airport connectivity is poor.

Onward itinerary

Keep onward or return travel details accessible in case an airline or immigration officer asks for evidence of your travel plan.

Health certificate

Carry a yellow-fever certificate if your route triggers PNG's yellow-fever requirement.

Customs declarations

Declare reportable goods and K20,000 or more in covered currency or valuables when applicable.

Customs flow

Inspection is risk- and declaration-based, not necessarily identical for every bag

PNG Customs currently describes a staged process: passengers present their arrival information to a Customs marshalling officer, may be asked brief questions, collect baggage and can then be selected for inspection based on their declaration or the officer's assessment.

That is more accurate than telling travellers that every single bag is automatically X-rayed and searched. Security screening and Customs inspection exist, but individual treatment varies.

Domestic connections

Allow time to clear the international arrival before continuing within PNG

Mount Hagen

Highlands connection

POM is the principal connecting point for flights into the Highlands. Avoid booking a connection that assumes immigration and baggage will always finish at the Customs target time.

Hoskins / Kimbe

West New Britain

Travellers bound for Kimbe Bay normally connect onward from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport.

Alotau

Milne Bay

Flights to Gurney Airport provide the standard air gateway for Alotau and wider Milne Bay itineraries.

If your domestic ticket is separate from the international booking, give yourself a larger margin. A delayed international arrival can leave you responsible for rebooking the domestic sector.

Airport redevelopment

Jacksons is in the middle of a major modernization program

K2.5 billion domestic-terminal phase

A four-phase domestic terminal extension and redevelopment project was launched in June 2026, with a reported value of K2.5 billion.

Broader airport upgrade

Government plans discussed in 2025 include expanded terminal capacity, additional gates, apron improvements and a future link between the international and domestic terminals.

Power infrastructure

NAC's CADIP II program has also included procurement for power-system upgrades and associated works at Jacksons.

Expect construction zones and temporary wayfinding changes while redevelopment proceeds. Follow airport signs and airline instructions rather than relying on an old terminal map.

Terminal facilities

Useful services exist, but verify time-sensitive amenities

Cash and banking

Banking and foreign-exchange services have historically operated at the terminal. For a late arrival, do not assume every counter or ATM will be working—carry a backup payment method.

Mobile connectivity

Local mobile services are available in Port Moresby, but kiosk brands, opening hours and SIM-registration procedures can change. Buy from an authorised provider and carry your passport.

Lounges

Air Niugini operates lounge facilities at Port Moresby, but access rules and guest pricing are fare- and membership-dependent. Confirm access directly with the airline before relying on pay-at-door entry.

Wi-Fi

Public connectivity can be inconsistent. Save hotel addresses, transfer contacts, eVisa files and PNGDAC evidence offline before departure.

Baggage assistance

Air Niugini publishes baggage-service contacts for Jacksons Airport. Report missing or damaged luggage before leaving the airport whenever possible.

Left luggage

Do not build a tight itinerary around third-party listings for storage hours without confirming the service on the day. Airport amenities can change during redevelopment.

Leaving the airport

Pre-arranged transport is the simplest arrival strategy

Port Moresby requires more transport planning than many capital-city stopovers. If your hotel or tour company provides an airport pickup, arrange it before travel and confirm the driver's details before boarding your flight.

This is especially useful after dark, when travelling with children, carrying expensive equipment or arriving for the first time.

Airport security

Jacksons has a dedicated airport surveillance program

Airport Lukaut

NAC says Airport Lukaut is a joint Police–NAC initiative established in 2017 that provides 24/7 monitoring and surveillance of Port Moresby International Airport premises.

Use authorised transport

Pre-arranged hotel, tour-company or reputable transport is preferable to making transport decisions on the pavement after a long flight.

Self-drive caution

Car rental may be available, but first-time visitors should consider whether navigating Port Moresby independently fits their risk tolerance and itinerary.

Quick planning table

Jacksons Airport arrival essentials

ItemWhat to know
Airport codePOM
Main rolePrimary international gateway and domestic connecting hub
PNGDACComplete before boarding-pass issuance
PassportAt least six months validity from intended entry date
Customs targetArrival process designed for about 45 minutes; actual time varies
Currency reportingK20,000 or more in covered currency/valuables requires declaration
Domestic connectionAllow buffer for immigration, baggage, Customs and terminal movement
Airport worksMajor redevelopment underway in 2026

Airport FAQ

Common Port Moresby arrival questions

Is Jacksons International Airport PNG's main international airport?

Yes. It is the principal international gateway, and PNG Customs describes it as the only airport with full-time Customs, Immigration and Quarantine for standard commercial international flights.

How long does immigration and Customs take?

PNG Customs says its arrival process is designed for completion within about 45 minutes from disembarkation. This is not guaranteed; queueing, baggage and inspections can add time.

Must PNGDAC be completed before I fly?

Yes. The official 6 August 2026 ICSA notice requires all travellers to complete PNGDAC before a boarding pass is issued.

Do I need a printed eVisa?

Carry a printed copy as a practical backup, but do not assume electronic evidence is universally rejected unless your approval letter, airline or ICA specifically says so.

Does every bag get searched by Customs?

No. PNG Customs says bags may be selected for inspection based on declarations or an officer's assessment.

Is there construction at the airport in 2026?

Yes. A major domestic-terminal redevelopment was launched in June 2026 as part of a wider Port Moresby airport modernization program.

Should I arrange an airport transfer in advance?

For most first-time visitors, yes. It simplifies the transition from the public arrivals area to accommodation and avoids making transport arrangements after landing.

Continue planning

Related VisaPNG arrival guides

EEntry RequirementsBorder, Customs and health rules. IImmigration ClearanceWhat happens at passport control. OOnward TravelDeparture evidence and planning. TTransport in PNGFlights, roads, boats and transfers. BBefore You TravelFinal pre-flight checks. NVisa & Entry NewsRecent PNG border updates.

Arriving at POM

Build enough time into the first day

Complete PNGDAC before departure, keep entry documents accessible, allow a realistic margin for border clearance, and pre-arrange your onward domestic flight or Port Moresby transfer.

Review entry rulesPlan onward transport

Primary sources

Official airport, Customs and immigration references

National Airports Corporation — Port Moresby International Airport: https://www.nac.com.pg/airports-pominter PNG Customs — Aircrafts / International Arrival Gateway: https://customs.gov.pg/border/aircrafts PNG Customs — International Airport Arrivals: https://customs.gov.pg/border/int_airports PNG Customs — Declared Ports of Entry, effective July 2026: https://customs.gov.pg/newsroom/general/declared-ports-entry ICSA — Mandatory PNGDAC Notice: https://ica.gov.pg/public-notices/2026/mandatory-completion-of-png-digital-arrival-card Air Niugini — Jacksons Airport Contacts: https://www.airniugini.com.pg/en-pg/about-us/contact-us/

VisaPNG is an independent visa and travel-support website. It is not the National Airports Corporation, PNG Customs Service, the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority or an airline. Terminal services and construction arrangements can change, so confirm time-sensitive details before travel.