Kiunga, Western Province, Monday, 31 March 2025
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape officially opened the newly redeveloped Kiunga Airport terminal in North Fly District today.
The project is part of the K70 million Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme II (CADIP II), funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Papua New Guinea. The National Airports Corporation (NAC) is overseeing the implementation of this initiative.
The upgrade includes a new Type C terminal building, wider and stronger runway, new aircraft parking areas, a new access road, and housing for NAC staff. The improvements will meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and PNG Civil Aviation Rules, as monitored by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA PNG).
“This is not just an airport project. It is a bold signal that Western Province is not forgotten,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Kiunga sits at the heart of what I call the ‘Midwest’ of Papua New Guinea—linking the Highlands, Southern, and Gulf regions. It is a growth centre in the making.”
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was also signed between NAC, the Fly River Provincial Government, and the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The contract was awarded in September 2024, and work started earlier this month. The project is expected to be completed in two years.
CCECC has already started site preparations. Once finished, the upgraded runway and taxiway will last five to ten years with minimal maintenance. The new terminal will improve passenger and cargo handling and create jobs for locals.
Before launching the CADIP II works, Prime Minister Marape also opened a newly built K7.8 million terminal. This terminal was jointly funded by the North Fly District Development Authority (K4.5 million) and the PNG Sustainable Development Programme (K3.3 million). A commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the occasion.
“I commend local leadership, particularly Hon. James Donald, for making prudent use of district funds to deliver real infrastructure for our people,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister also reminded Members of Parliament and development partners that public funds must lead to real results. He noted that over the past six years, his government has sent more than K5.6 billion directly to districts—moving national wealth from Waigani to the people.
“Districts that deliver results will receive more. Kiunga and North Fly are leading by example,” he said.
He encouraged citizens to hold their leaders accountable for how district funds are used.
The Kiunga Airport Upgrade is part of a broader plan to modernise PNG’s aviation network under CADIP II. Other projects include:
Upgrades to Aropa Airport (Autonomous Region of Bougainville), Hoskins Airport (West New Britain), and Wewak Airport (East Sepik)
Air traffic control upgrades at Port Moresby and Goroka airports by NiuSky Pacific Ltd
Rural airstrip rehabilitation through the Department of Transport
Kiunga Airport also benefited from CADIP I (Tranche 3), which provided K10 million for fencing and security upgrades.
“I thank ADB for remaining a true development partner,” Prime Minister Marape said. “While others turned away, ADB stayed with us. Projects like this show what partnership, vision, and commitment can achieve.”
The Prime Minister called for further improvements, including extending Kiunga’s runway to allow night landings and larger aircraft. He highlighted Kiunga’s growing importance due to resource projects like P’nyang LNG and Stanley LNG.
He also reaffirmed the Government’s plan to invest in key towns like Daru and Kerema and to continue developing rural airstrips to improve access and services.
“We are growing Papua New Guinea—one project at a time, one district at a time. We must keep moving forward with enabling infrastructure that connects our people and unlocks our nation’s full potential.”