Aropa Airport runway upgrade reaches 78 percent completion
The National Airports Corporation (NAC) says runway upgrade works at Kieta (Aropa) Airport are progressing well, with 78 percent of the works completed.
Of the airport’s 1,525-metre runway, 1,170 metres have been completed, with the remaining 355 metres still under construction.
The runway upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of October 2026, with airport operations anticipated to resume in November, subject to weather conditions.
The airport remains temporarily closed under a published Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to allow construction to proceed safely and efficiently.
NAC is advising airline operators, passengers and other stakeholders to comply with all published NOTAMs and confirm flight availability with their airlines before travelling.
Meanwhile, construction of the new terminal building has reached 70 percent completion as of September 2026.
The K58.2 million project is funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Asian Development Bank under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Project Phase II (CADIP II). NAC is implementing the project to improve the airport’s infrastructure and support long-term aviation safety and security standards.
NAC acknowledges the impact of the temporary restrictions on airline operators, passengers and businesses and apologises for the inconvenience caused.
The corporation also appeals to the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea, along with all affected stakeholders, for their continued patience and support as the upgrade works progress.
Photo Credit: NAC
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