State, ExxonMobil discuss future of airport

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU

EXXONMOBIL PNG Ltd is in discussions with the Government on the future use of Komo airfield, in Hela, now that construction phase of the project is completed, the company said.

“We are in discussions with the government about potential future uses of the airfield.”

The airfield was built to transport equipment for the PNG LNG Project and was reported to have a runway which is 15% longer than Port Moresby’s Jackson International Airport.

It is the biggest runway in the country.

ExxonMobil said the airfield was being used to transport its workers from Port Moresby to the Highlands region.

The company previously said discussions with government could result in the state having access to the airfield.

“We have entered into discussions with the PNG government on the potential for the PNG LNG project-owned Komo airfield and associated facilities to be accessed by the State under a cost-sharing arrangement,” the company said in an email.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill earlier this year announced in parliament that Komo airfield in Hela, which was serving the LNG project sites, would be handed over to the government.

O’Neill made the announcement after the member for Koroba-Kopiago Philip Undialu, raised a question regarding the outcome of discussions between the government and ExxonMobil PNG Ltd relating to the airfield.

“The government has been talking to ExxonMobil and ExxonMobil has agreed over the next few months that the responsibility of that airport will be transferred to the national government,” O’Neill had said.