Rosh Pinah Airport

The airport was rendered obsolete and closed following the construction and inauguration of the new, modern Rosh Pinah Airport (ICAO: FYRP, IATA: RHN). The primary reason for the replacement was economic and operational. The old airstrip had a short, unpaved (gravel) runway that was insufficient for the larger, modern aircraft required by the Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation. The new N$277 million airport was built to comply with international civil aviation standards, featuring a 2,200-meter paved runway capable of handling larger aircraft like the Embraer 145 jet, thus improving safety, reliability, and capacity for the mine and the town.

The site is decommissioned and abandoned. The physical runway is still visible on satellite imagery, but it is unmaintained, without markings, and shows signs of neglect. The associated small buildings are derelict. The land is not being used for any other purpose and is effectively a relic of the town's previous aviation infrastructure.

For decades, this airstrip was a critical piece of infrastructure for the extremely isolated mining town of Rosh Pinah. Its primary function was to serve the Rosh Pinah mine. It was a vital link for transporting mine personnel, including executives, engineers, and fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) workers. The airstrip was also crucial for the urgent transport of essential equipment, spare parts, and supplies to keep the mine operational. Furthermore, it played a life-saving role in facilitating medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) from the remote community to larger medical centers. Operations were limited to smaller, rugged turboprop and piston aircraft (like the Cessna Caravan and Beechcraft King Air) that could safely operate from a short, unpaved surface.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening this airport. Its replacement, the new Rosh Pinah Airport (FYRP), is located just a few kilometers away and is superior in every aspect, including runway length, surface type, and modern facilities. The old airstrip is now permanently redundant and is expected to remain closed indefinitely.