Papua New Guinea completes $17.3m Gurney Airport upgrade
By Andrew Curran.
Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation (NAC) has completed its USD17.3 million upgrade of Alotau/Gurney Airport (GUR) in Milne Bay Province. The August 21, 2026, ceremony marking the end of the work also marked the first fully completed airport upgrade under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Project II (CADIP II) programme.
Alotau/Gurney is located on the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea’s main island. While the airport is less than 400 kilometres east of Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, it wasn’t until mid-2025 that a road opened between the two centres. Even with the new road, driving time exceeds 12 hours.
As a result, airlines play a vital role in linking towns and cities. Both Air Niugini and PNG Air operate scheduled passenger services between Alotau/Gurney and Port Moresby (POM).
Improved airport infrastructure for Milne Bay Province
Work at Alotau/Gurney started in April 2024 and has since involved the resurfacing of the runway, apron and taxiway; construction of a new 200-passenger-capacity terminal able to process international arrivals and departures; new airfield ground lighting systems; a new standby power system; new domestic and fire water supply infrastructure; new staff residences; and a new cargo storage facility.
Alotau/Gurney is one of five airports in Papua New Guinea being redeveloped as part of the USD171.5 million Asian Development Bank-backed CADIP II programme, which is designed to improve the country’s aviation infrastructure and align its airports with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices and PNG Civil Aviation Rules Part 139.
Upgrades are also underway at Aropa/Kieta (KIE), Kiunga (UNG), Hoskins (HKN) and Wewak (WWK) airports.
“This multifaceted programme is being delivered across Papua New Guinea to create the foundations of a modern economy and better connect our people,” said Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at Friday’s ceremony.
PM James Marape (white shirt) at Gurney Airport opening ceremony. Photo. NAC,
Asian Development Bank backing PNG airport upgrades
The upgrade of Alotau/Gurney hasn’t been without its hiccups. Last year, armed assailants attacked two Chinese nationals working on the site. The China Railway Construction Engineering Group was undertaking the airport upgrade, and there was some local resentment about foreign nationals taking jobs from locals. There was also a series of break-ins and thefts at the airport.
Despite warnings that violence could delay the project, the upgrade of Alotau/Gurney Airport was completed on time.
Among the tangible benefits are another 15–20 years added to the runway’s lifespan, a bigger apron that can accommodate Air Niugini’s B737-800 and A220-300 jets, and a modern passenger terminal able to handle more passengers more quickly.
“The opening of Gurney Airport is more than a project milestone; it is a symbol of confidence in Papua New Guinea’s future. It tells people of this province that they are connected,” said an Asian Development Bank spokesperson. “And it tells the nation that infrastructure, when planned, delivered and sustained well, can transform lives.”
The Papua New Guinea Government is financing CADIP II through the Manila-headquartered bank, which has provided a multi-tranche financing facility loan.
PNG PM eyes Australia flights from Alotau/Gurney
The Prime Minister spoke about the tourism potential of regions like Milne Bay. He wants to progressively develop Alotau/Gurney Airport for dual-use operations by incorporating the necessary immigration, customs, quarantine and aviation safety facilities required for international services.
This would enable direct tourism flights, including potential services from Brisbane (BNE), helping attract more Australian visitors to Milne Bay.
“This airport, I want it to be the first of our tourism airports in our country,” Marape said. “Australia, our closest neighbour, exports 12 million tourists to the world every year.”
“We want to position Gurney Airport as an international gateway that captures the growing Australian tourism market while continuing to serve the domestic travelling public.”
CADIP II work on the remaining four airports around Papua New Guinea is due for completion by 2028.
Photo: AI-Generated.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com