Improving Airport Infrastructure Important Says Papua New Guinea PM

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says he remains committed to transforming the country’s aviation sector. Marape was speaking while launching a new infrastructure project at Aropa Airport (KIE) this week.

The PGK58.2 million kina (USD13.95 million) upgrade of Aropa Airport, located near Kieta on Bougainville Island, includes a new terminal and parking facilities; improvements to airport power, water supply, sewerage and electrical systems; aircraft pavement repair and strengthening; bituminous chip seal resurfacing; and installation of a new precision approach path indicator.

“Aropa Airport has long required substantial upgrades, having last been improved over a decade ago,” said Marape. “The benefits of this project include a five to ten-year lifespan for the chip seal without major maintenance, modernised terminal facilities that enhance passenger processing, and job opportunities for local residents.”

“I want to thank National Airports Corporation for working consistently behind a vision of fully developing our airports in PNG,” he added. “The needs in the Autonomous Bougainville Region, and across our 21 provinces, remain substantial. But I want to assure all Papua New Guineans that we are not resting. We are doing our best to grow our economy and develop our country.”

The China Railway Construction Group Co. Ltd. will carry out the Aropa Airport upgrade. The work is due for completion in 2027. It is one of many airport upgrades already completed or underway in PNG under round two of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme (CADIP 2).

Work at Manus (MAS), Kavieng (KVG), Mt Hagen (HGU), Goroka (GKA), Mendi (MDU, Vanimo (VAI), Tari (TIZ), Madang (MAG), and Wapenamanda (WBM) Airports is done or close to completion. Work at Kiunga (UNG), Hoskins (HKN), Alotau (GUR), and now Aropa Airports has begun.

"We will proceed to Buka (BUA) and Daru (DAU) as we go through the next phase of CADIP,” said the prime minister. “Tokua/Rabaul (RAB) and Port Moresby Jacksons (POM) airports will see a major upgrade in due course.”

“After Aropa, we will go to Wewak (WWK) to launch its redevelopment,” Marape continued. “These developments are not just about infrastructure. They are about connecting our people, opening up our economy, and laying down long-term enablers for national growth. By the time we reach 2030, we should have key modern infrastructures to interface with the region and the world.”

Aropa Airport is served by PNG Air flights from Tokua/Rabaul and Port Moresby.

In addition to contributions from the Papua New Guinea Government, the airport upgrades are going ahead with funding assistance from the Japanese and Australian governments.

 Photo: National Airports Corporation