Armed Men Ambush Airport Workers in Papua New Guinea

Armed assailants have attacked men working on the redevelopment of Papua New Guinea’s Gurney Airport (GUR). The attacks occurred last week and targeted foreign employees of China Railway Construction Engineering Group, which has the PGK76.84 million (USD18.6 million) contract to redevelop the airport serving Alotau in the Milne Bay Province.

“Armed criminals ambushed our contractor’s personnel while they were transporting a paver machine to the Gurney Airport project site,” reads a July 11, 2025, statement from the country’s National Airports Corporation. “Two Chinese nationals were attacked, one sustaining serious injuries to the head and wrist and is currently receiving treatment at the Alotau Hospital.”

Earlier in the month, a national supervision consultant involved with the Hoskins Airport (HKN) redevelopment was robbed during a break-in at his residence. Among other things, critical project documents and a laptop were stolen.

“The incident at Gurney threatens to delay runway asphalting works, currently in progress, which may prolong the current aircraft downgrades,” the statement adds. “At Hoskins, the theft of documents, reports, and equipment will impact contractor progress. Such incidents risk compromising project timelines and cost efficiency.”

The National Airports Corporation is overseeing the redevelopment of several of Papua New Guinea’s airports. Hoskins and Gurney are among five airports currently being upgraded via the government’s Civil Aviation Development Project II. The other three airports include Kiunga (UNG), Aropa (KIE), and Wewak (WWK).

At Hoskins Airport in New Britain, the works include pavement repairs, asphalt overlay, the construction of a new turning bode, refurbishment of the airport terminal building and car park, and new airfield ground lighting.

Air Niugini CEO Gary Seddon weighed in, calling the attacks “cowardly,” and an “affront to the collective efforts aimed at enhancing Papua New Guinea's air transport infrastructure.”

“We ask all Papua New Guineans to stand against these violent acts and work together to create a safer environment for development,” said Seddon. “Our country’s future depends on us standing together against crime.”

Air Niugini flies to both airports. “This growing violence holds back progress and development,” added Seddon. “It may force us to cut back services if we believe our passengers, crew, or aircraft are in danger.”

In April, PNG Air suspended flights to Mendi (MDU) after an intoxicated man drove his vehicle into security-restricted areas and got into an argument with the airport’s contract security personnel. The argument escalated into a brawl. Services have since resumed.

Violence is a running problem in Papua New Guinea. The Economist’s Global Liveability Index 2025 ranks the capital, Port Moresby, among the world cities in the world for westerners. The situation is even more gruelling for locals and non-western foreigners.

Neither the National Airport Corporation nor local media reports say whether racial, economic, social, or anti-development reasons were behind the attacks.

However, Dominic Kaumu, the National Airport Corporation’s acting managing director, said the attacks threatened the national development, safety, and the lives of individuals delivering vital infrastructure projects. He said the individuals responsible “must not be allowed to derail national projects.”

Local police have yet to make any arrests.

Photo: National Airports Corporation