FBOs at Port Moresby International AYPY POM

Airport security

Port Moresby operates under elevated security conditions, with multiple government advisories — including a U.S. State Department Level 3 Reconsider Travel designation — reflecting high levels of violent street crime, carjacking, home invasion, and armed robbery affecting both residents and foreign nationals.

Active civil unrest is a persistent concern in the city, with community and tribal disputes capable of escalating rapidly into rioting and looting with little warning, a pattern that has continued into 2026 linked to settlement evictions.

The terrorism threat in Port Moresby is assessed as low based on available official reporting, though global background risk applies.

Jacksons International Airport is Papua New Guinea's principal international gateway and primary commercial hub, operating separate domestic and international terminal facilities.

No official published security tier or classification for this airport has been located in authoritative public sources; however, as the country's main international airport, it is expected to operate under ICAO Annex 17 security obligations, and open-source reporting confirms the presence of a dedicated aviation security force conducting passenger baggage screening, with documented interceptions of prohibited items confirming active screening operations.

Infrastructure modernisation has previously been aligned with ICAO standards, though the adequacy and consistency of implementation relative to international benchmarks is not independently verifiable from available sources.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

• Hours: Available on scheduled international flight operations
• after-hours customs service requires coordination with PNG Customs in advance Airport of entry
• landing permit may be required depending on operation type
• customs checks are thorough with baggage screening on arrival

Ground corridor

Port Moresby carries a high ground transport risk environment driven by opportunistic and organised violent crime, including carjacking, robbery, and vehicle targeting at traffic stops — pre-arranged transport with vetted professional drivers is strongly advised by all major Western government advisories.

The airport-to-city corridor is a recognised risk route due to relative road isolation, limited street lighting after dark, and the predictable movement patterns of arriving international passengers; night movements along this route should be avoided where operationally possible.

Independent or unvetted transport from the airport is not recommended under any advisory framework; only pre-arranged vehicles with professional drivers coordinated through a ground support team or vetted accommodation provider should be used.

No active armed conflict zone or OFAC sanctions apply to Papua New Guinea, however FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Hela and Southern Highlands provinces, and the US State Department designates the Highlands Region (excluding Mt. Hagen and Goroka) as Do Not Travel.

City threat summary

Port Moresby operates under elevated security conditions, with multiple government advisories — including a U.S. State Department Level 3 Reconsider Travel designation — reflecting high levels of violent street crime, carjacking, home invasion, and armed robbery affecting both residents and foreign nationals.

Active civil unrest is a persistent concern in the city, with community and tribal disputes capable of escalating rapidly into rioting and looting with little warning, a pattern that has continued into 2026 linked to settlement evictions.

The terrorism threat in Port Moresby is assessed as low based on available official reporting, though global background risk applies.

Country overview

Papua New Guinea presents a substantially elevated threat environment characterized by widespread violent crime, active inter-tribal armed conflict across multiple Highlands provinces, and fragile state authority that limits effective law enforcement reach.

The U.S. Department of State rates the country at Level 3 — Reconsider Travel overall, with Level 4 — Do Not Travel applying to the Highlands Region (excluding Mt. Hagen and Goroka) and Central Bougainville; Australia's DFAT/Smartraveller rates the country at Level 2 — Exercise a High Degree of Caution, with higher levels applying in specific areas.

Compounding physical security concerns, El Niño-driven drought conditions are intensifying food and water insecurity, degrading critical infrastructure including hydropower and urban water supply, and straining the capacity of already limited emergency services.

Higher-risk locations nearby

• Port Moresby AYPY HIGH