Police in Papua New Guinea have arrested a man who ran towards a plane wielding a machete to try to stop his wife from boarding.

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PNG's national carrier Air Niugini confirmed the incident happened on Thursday morning at Kimbe in West New Britain province.

"There was an unauthorised incursion of tarmac area at Hoskins Airport, by a person armed with a bush knife, while passengers were still boarding the aircraft," chief executive officer of Air Niugini Simon Foo said in a statement.

"The person was trying to prevent his wife from flying out on flight PX 241.

"Security and the port manager arrived at the scene and calmed the situation.

"The wife came off the flight and the aircraft departed without any delay.

"There were no injuries to passengers, crew, aircraft or any ground equipment."

A photograph circulated on social media appeared to show a man holding a machete and running towards an Air Niugini plane.

Police have since arrested the man and charged him with violating aviation laws.

PNG's Civil Aviation Safety Authority is investigating how the man was able to access a restricted area of the airport.