Tokua airport undergoing repairs to runway

EAST New Britain’s Tokua airport is undergoing repairs to its runway causing a reduction in its operating length, thus leading to flight disruptions, says acting chief executive officer Gary Seddon.
“This will further limit aircraft operations for the next four to five months,” he said.
“The decision, while necessary for infrastructure improvements, will inevitably lead to major unavoidable disruptions in passenger and cargo services.
“The reduction of the runway to just 850 metres will pose operational challenges, impacting Air Niugini’s ability to operate at full capacity.
“Air Niugini has been forced to operate a reduced service to Rabaul since May 2023, which is the last time the Fokker jets were able to land at Tokua, due to the poor state of the airport runway.
“The start of the repair work has been delayed until now.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause to our passengers and cargo clients.”
He stressed that safety remained the top priority.
“We are committed to cooperating with the authorities to ensure that necessary repairs and upgrades are completed efficiently.”
Air Niugini emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough engineering and geotechnical surveys to ensure that the infrastructure upgrades not only meet the current operational requirements but also accommodate future aircraft.
“Air Niugini hopes that the repairs and upgrades consider the future of air transport to East New Britain and are not just another quick fix,” he said. “The runway was restricted for repairs in 2021 in the same area, and it was hoped that would be the last of the disruptions to services.
“The NAC allowed heavier aircraft to service the airport.
“The runway is now restricted again for repairs.”
“Rabaul is a gem in PNG’s tourism landscape, and its potential for growth is immense,” Seddon said.
“It is imperative that the airport’s infrastructure, including runway specifications, landing lights, navigation systems, and terminal facilities, align with the growth trajectory of the region.”