Papua New Guinea: Flights to resume at airports in Lae and Kiunga from Sept. 3 following regulatory dispute /update 1

Event

Air carrier PNG Air (CG) will resume flights to Lae Nadzab Airport (LAE) in Morobe Province and Kiunga Airport (UNG) in Western Province from Sept. 3. The announcement follows a court injunction to stop a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA PNG) order closing the airports after their Aerodrome Operating Certificates expired. Air Niugini (PX) has not announced when it will restart flights to the affected airports, but a Sept. 3 resumption is likely.

Context

Papua New Guinea's airport operator, National Airports Corporation (NAC), requested an injunction to allow operations to resume. CASA PNG announced the airspace closures at LAE and UNG Aug. 31. However, the NAC contested the order, claiming it was awaiting a response from the regulator on its license renewal, and announced the airports were still operational the same day. Regardless, domestic carriers suspended flights amid the dispute. As the issues were administrative, NAC officials have reiterated that there are no identified safety concerns at either airport.

Advice

Plan for flight disruptions. Confirm flight status with airlines, as the operational status of LAE or UNG could change at short notice. Do not check out of accommodations until verifying onward transport. If operating in Kiunga, consider alternative airstrips if overland transport is possible; confirm security conditions before embarking on ground transport.

Resources

Air Niugini
PNG Air