Keita Airport upgrade sees runway length temporarily halved
By Andrew Curran.
Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation (NAC) is warning that upcoming runway works at Bougainville’s Kieta/Aropa Airport (KIE) may disrupt scheduled flights.
The work will see the runway’s operational length temporarily slashed from 1,525 metres to 810 metres, preventing many aircraft types from using the airport.
The NAC is upgrading airports around the country. Recently, Air Niugini decided to suspend flights to Kiunga Airport (UNG) in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province until July because the operational runway length was temporarily reduced to 690 metres.
In an update released late last week, the NAC said almost 40% of the planned airside and landside upgrade work at Kieta Airport is complete. But the airport operator warns further work will see the runway length reduced until April 2027.
“During this stage, regular public transport flights may discontinue,” the release reads. “This is subject to airline operators’ determinations.”
Kieta Airport runway now too short for PNG Air's scheduled ATR72 ops
The NAC says the runway upgrade is critical to ensuring the long-term safety and continued operation of Kieta Airport, which handles scheduled ATR72 PNG Air services to and from Rabaul (RAB).
PNG Air has not publicly said what its plans are, but ATR72s cannot use 810 metre runways for take-offs and landings.
When complete, Kieta Airport’s upgrade will see the runway strengthened, improved approach lighting, and new passenger terminal, among other work.
Drilling into the detail, the upgrade’s primary projects will include aircraft pavement repair and strengthening; bituminous chip seal re-surfacing; installation of a new precision approach path indicator; installation of new of new airport power, water supply, and sewerage systems, including land airside electrical systems and other associated works; and the aforementioned new terminal and car parking facilities
The NAC says it is working with the contractor on the ground to ensure the airport upgrade gets completed on time and without any unforeseen disruptions.
Photos: National Airports Corporation.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com