Kaesah Airstrip

The primary reason for closure was the deterioration of the runway surface, making it unsafe for aircraft operations. This was likely caused by a lack of consistent funding and resources for maintenance, a common issue for highly remote 'pioneer' airstrips in Papua. The runway, likely made of packed earth or grass, became overgrown with vegetation and potentially eroded, posing a significant risk for landing and takeoff. There is no evidence to suggest the closure was due to a specific accident, military conversion, or the abandonment of the nearby community.

The site of the former Kaesah Airstrip is completely defunct and unusable for any aviation purposes. Recent satellite imagery shows the runway's straight path is still faintly discernible from the air, but it is entirely overgrown with thick grass, shrubs, and other vegetation. The land has effectively reverted to a natural state and appears to be used as open community space by the adjacent village of Kaesah. There are no buildings or other obstructions on the former runway itself.

Kaesah Airstrip served as a critical lifeline for the isolated community of Kaesah, located in the rugged and inaccessible Pegunungan Bintang (Bintang Mountains) Regency. As with many similar airstrips in Papua, its significance was immense, providing the only viable connection to the outside world. Operations primarily consisted of 'Perintis' (pioneer) flights, which included:
- **Medical Evacuations:** Transporting sick or injured individuals to hospitals in larger towns.
- **Supply Transport:** Flying in essential goods such as food, medicine, fuel, tools, and building materials.
- **Passenger Transport:** Moving missionaries, healthcare workers, teachers, government officials, and local residents.
The airstrip was likely built and served by missionary aviation organizations, such as Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), using specialized STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft like the Pilatus PC-6 Porter and Cessna Caravan, which are designed for such challenging environments.

There are currently no known official plans or prospects for the reopening of Kaesah Airstrip. Re-establishing the airstrip would be a significant undertaking, requiring extensive work to clear the vegetation, regrade the surface, and ensure it meets safety standards. Furthermore, a sustainable plan for its ongoing maintenance would need to be established. Given the large number of similar non-operational airstrips throughout Papua and the limited resources available for regional infrastructure, the reopening of Kaesah is considered highly unlikely in the foreseeable future unless a new, compelling economic or strategic reason (such as resource exploration or a new government initiative) emerges.