POM airport code: which airport and which country

If you have seen POM on a booking and wondered what it stands for, it is the IATA code for Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. The letters come from the city name, Port Moresby. The airport's ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control, is AYPY.

People sometimes search for a "POM country code". POM is an airport code, not a country code. It tells you the flight lands in Port Moresby, and Port Moresby is in Papua New Guinea, on the southern coast of the island of New Guinea facing the Coral Sea.

You will see the airport listed under a few names. Jacksons International Airport, Jacksons Airport, Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport and Port Moresby International Airport all describe the same place. Whichever name your ticket uses, the code is POM.

Why it is called Jacksons International Airport

The airport grew out of a wartime airfield known as the Seven Mile Drome, named for its distance from the town. During the Second World War it was renamed in honour of Squadron Leader John Francis Jackson, an Australian fighter pilot who was killed while defending Port Moresby. The name stayed as the airfield became the country's main civil airport, and it is now run by the state-owned National Airports Corporation.

The area around the airport is still often called Seven Mile, and it is home to several hotels used by transit passengers and business travellers.

Where POM airport is in Port Moresby

Jacksons International Airport lies about 8 km outside central Port Moresby, in the Saraga area northeast of the city. The main roads run west from the airport towards the districts most visitors need: Waigani, where many government offices sit, Boroko, with its shops and housing areas, and the old downtown, known locally as Town.

Because the airport is close to the city, the transfer is short. That makes POM a practical stop even on a tight schedule, whether you are visiting Port Moresby itself or changing planes for another part of Papua New Guinea.

Terminals at Jacksons International Airport

POM has two passenger terminals, and they are close together.

International Terminal

The International Terminal handles flights to and from other countries. It has air-conditioned halls with shops, cafés and duty-free outlets, plus banking services, currency exchange and ATMs for travellers who need local cash in kina. Aerobridges connect the terminal to the aircraft at its gates.

Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal is used by Air Niugini and PNG Air for flights around Papua New Guinea. Eateries and ATMs are available here too, and car rental desks sit at the airport.

The two terminals are linked by a covered walkway, so changing between an international arrival and a domestic departure does not need a shuttle. Leave enough time for immigration, customs and baggage re-check when you connect.

Airlines and destinations from POM airport

Jacksons International Airport is the main hub of Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea, and also the home base of PNG Air.

International routes

Air Niugini links Port Moresby with Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns in Australia, with Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong and Tokyo in Asia, and with Pacific cities such as Nadi, Honiara and Port Vila. Qantas flies to Brisbane, Philippine Airlines to Manila and Solomon Airlines to Honiara. For travellers from Southeast Asia, Singapore and Manila are the usual direct gateways, and Brisbane is a common connection from elsewhere.

Domestic routes

Much of Papua New Guinea is mountainous and has few roads between regions, so flying is often the practical way to travel. From POM, domestic flights reach Lae, Mount Hagen, Goroka, Madang, Wewak, Rabaul, Kavieng, Hoskins, Buka, Vanimo, Alotau and Popondetta, among others. Schedules change, so check the timetable for your dates.

Getting from Jacksons Airport to Port Moresby

Hotel shuttles and transfers

Many hotels near the airport run courtesy shuttle buses that wait outside Arrivals, and most city hotels can arrange a pickup. Hotel-arranged transport is widely recommended as the easiest and safest way to travel on your first visit. Ask for the driver's name and phone number before you land.

Taxis

Taxis wait at the airport, and the ride into central Port Moresby takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Meters are not always used, so agree the fare with the driver before you set off.

Car rental

Car rental companies operate at the airport. Driving in Port Moresby can be demanding, with busy roads and some rough surfaces, so many visitors prefer a hired car with a local driver for trips outside the city.

Tips for flying through POM

• Arrive early for international flights. Allow about three hours before an international departure and at least one and a half to two hours for domestic flights.
• Expect queues at busy times. Immigration and customs usually move smoothly, but lines build when several international flights land together.
• Sort your transport in advance. Book a hotel pickup or confirm a trusted taxi before you arrive rather than looking for a ride on the street.
• Carry some local currency. Papua New Guinea uses the kina. You can change money or use an ATM in the terminal.
• Check entry rules. Visitors to Papua New Guinea need to check visa and entry requirements for their passport before travelling.
• Plan for the weather. Port Moresby has a wet season and a dry season. Heavy tropical storms can cause short delays.

Exploring Port Moresby from the airport

Port Moresby is a harbour city spread across hills and bays along the Coral Sea. Close to Waigani, Parliament Haus is one of the city's best-known buildings, designed in the style of a traditional spirit house. Nearby, the National Museum and Art Gallery holds carvings, masks, canoes and objects from across Papua New Guinea's many cultures.

The Port Moresby Nature Park is a green space with native wildlife, including birds of paradise, alongside orchids and tropical gardens. Down by the water, Ela Beach is a popular seafront, and its craft market brings together carvings, woven bags and other handmade goods on market days.

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