Komo Airfield re-opens after earthquake damage

Flights have resumed into the Komo Airfield in Hela, operated by ExxonMobil PNG on behalf of PNG LNG, following the Highlands earthquake in February.
The first flight with staff on board arrived at Komo airfield last Thursday.
A cargo plane delivering earthquake relief supplies landed shortly after with relief items collected by the Advancing PNG – Women’s Leaders Network (APNG WLN) and the Salvation Army from public relief drives and ExxonMobil PNG staff donations
ExxonMobil PNG managing-director Andrew Barry said the re-opening of Komo airfield in such a short timeframe was a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved.
“The Komo airfield is an integral piece of infrastructure,” he said.
“Its reopening is a significant step forward and restores important transport and logistics infrastructure to assist with our operations and delivery of relief and recovery support for communities.
“We’d like to thank the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for accommodating timely inspections of the repaired runway to ensure we could resume flights into the airfield as quickly as possible.”
ExxonMobil PNG repaired cracks and depressions to the runway, re-marked the airstrip and repaired fencing in line with the highest safety standards, in consultation with aircraft operators and design contractors.
Local landowner company Hides Gas Development Company assisted with repairs along with teams from Wood Group and Aurecon.
Non-critical repairs to various Komo airfield facilities will be finalised in following phases.
ExxonMobil PNG is also assisting the government to
build infrastructure and key roads and bridges for Hela and Southern Highlands that were destroyed during the earthquake.
Humanitarian support provided by ExxonMobil PNG includes 50 tonnes of food and drinking water, 600 tarpaulins, 1020 solar lights and other essential items such as purification tablets, cooking aids and hygiene kits.