By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI
DISCUSSIONS on improving Bougainville’s two airports were the main agenda in a meeting between a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) delegation from Port Moresby and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President Joseph Kabui on Monday.
The delegation’s visit to Buka led by chief executive officer Joseph Kintau, followed a recent consultation by ABG’s transport and works minister Patrick Nisira and acting chief Administratior Raymond Masono with the CAA office last month, to discuss air transport in Bougainville.
The visit by CAA officials was seen by ABG as genuine and a serious move to improve the Buka and Aropa airports and a number of smaller airstrips.
The talks were centred on helping the ABG in upgrading and improving the airports and airstrips to meet safety and other CAA requirements before allowing aircraft to use them.
The airstrips that need to be worked on are Wakunai, Tonu, Buin, Nissan, Torokina, Arawa, Nuguria (Fead) and possibly Oria, before they are used by third level airline operators.
The visit gave both the ABG and CAA the opportunity to seek funding for those projects and feasibility studies in a partnership arrangement.
Mr Kabui said the talks were fruitful and encouraging for his government and the region.
Meanwhile, the CAA bought a grass cutter for the Buka airport which is expected to be transported there next month.
It also made available K100,000 for the upkeep of the Buka Airport.

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