Air Niugini DHC-8-Q400

Air Niugini to suspend Kiunga flights until July

By Andrew Curran.

23.01.26: Updated with further information from the National Airports Corporation.

Air Niugini will suspend flights to and from Kiunga Airport (UNG) in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province while a runway upgrade takes place.

As reported by The National newspaper, the service suspension will start on January 24, 2026, and run through to an unspecified date in July.

Air Niugini flies to Kiunga from Port Moresby (POM), Mount Hagen (HGU), and Tabubil (TBG).

Kiunga Airport is undergoing a PGK70 million (USD16.7 million) upgrade as part of an Asian Development Bank-funded national airport redevelopment programme. The work has already seen a new terminal constructed and pavement improvements. Papua New Guinea's National Airports Corporation (NAC), which operates Kiunga Airport, says around 30% of the planned upgrade work is complete.

 The runway upgrade will see the existing 1,200 metre strip strengthened and widened. When the work commences, the available runway length will be reduced to 690 metres. During this stage, regular public transport flights can continue to operate, subject to aircraft weight restrictions.

However, as the runway upgrade works progress, its operational length will reduce further to 490 metres, at which point, the NAC will no longer allow regular public transport flights to operate. The runway will remain open to smaller general aviation aircraft.

"NAC acknowledges that the runway shortening from March to the end of May 2026 will affect airline operations and the movement of passengers and cargo in and out of Kiunga," reads a January 22, 2026, NAC social media post. "As custodian of the aerodrome, NAC has a responsibility to undertake these essential upgrades to maintain safety standards and ensure the continued operation of the airport."
Air Niugini flies weekly on the Kiunga – Mount Hagen and Kiunga – Tabubil city pairs and twice weekly on the Kiunga – Port Moresby city pair. On all three routes, the airline uses DHC-8-Q400s.

The airline is directing Kiunga-bound passengers to fly to Tabubil, which it serves from Port Moresby, and then transfer overland to Kiunga, although it takes almost three hours to cover the 140 kilometres by road.

PNG Air also serves Kiunga from Port Moresby, Tabubil, and Daru (DAU). PNG Air is yet to make an official announcement regarding its Kiunga flights while runway work occurs.

Photo: AI-Generated.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com

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