Muting Airport

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons and obsolescence caused by improved ground infrastructure. The development of the Trans-Papua Highway created a reliable and more cost-effective road link between Muting and the regional capital, Merauke. This significantly reduced the demand and necessity for subsidized 'pioneer' (perintis) air services, making the maintenance and operation of the airstrip economically unviable.

The airport is permanently closed and in a state of abandonment. The former runway is completely overgrown with grass, shrubs, and other vegetation, rendering it unusable for any aviation purposes. Recent satellite imagery shows that sections of the former runway are now used by locals as an unpaved road or track. There is no visible remaining airport infrastructure, such as a terminal or hangars, on the site.

Muting Airport served as a vital 'pioneer' airstrip, connecting the remote Muting district to the rest of the province. Before the road network was dependable, it was a lifeline for the community. Operations were typically handled by small Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Cessna 208 Caravan. These flights were crucial for transporting passengers, essential goods, medical supplies, mail, and facilitating access for government and missionary services.

There are no known official plans or prospects for reopening Muting Airport. Given the improved and reliable road connection to Merauke, the strategic or economic justification for reactivating the airstrip is extremely low. Reopening would require substantial investment to clear the land, reconstruct the runway, and build new facilities, which is considered highly unlikely.