Mapaio Airstrip

Mapaio Village, PG 🇵🇬 Closed Airport

ICAO

PG-0076

IATA

-

Elevation

55 ft

Region

PG-GPK

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: -7.656° N, 145.045° E

Continent: OC

Type: Closed Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

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Airport Information

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 26, 2025
Closure Date

The exact date of closure is not officially recorded. However, based on the state of deterioration and the history of similar airstrips in the region, it likely fell into disuse and was officially closed sometime in the late 20th or early 21st century. The closure was a gradual process of the runway becoming unsafe rather than a single event.

Reason for Closure

The primary reason for the closure of Mapaio Airstrip was economic and logistical. Like many remote 'bush strips' in Papua New Guinea built during the colonial or post-colonial era, it suffered from a lack of consistent funding for maintenance. Without regular upkeep, the grass runway became overgrown, soft, and uneven, posing a significant safety risk for landing aircraft. This progressive deterioration made it non-compliant with safety standards, forcing aviation operators to cease services.

Current Status

As of the latest satellite imagery, the Mapaio Airstrip is completely unserviceable and abandoned. The former runway is heavily overgrown with dense vegetation and is no longer distinguishable as a functional airfield from the ground. The land has been reclaimed by the surrounding jungle, and there are no signs of any aviation-related activity. The cleared area may be used by locals as a footpath, but it is not maintained for any formal purpose.

Historical Significance

When active, Mapaio Airstrip was a critical lifeline for Mapaio Village and the surrounding isolated communities in the Gulf Province. It served as the primary link to the outside world for essential services and supplies. Operations typically involved STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, such as the Pilatus Porter, Britten-Norman Islander, and Cessna 206, operated by missionary groups like Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and various third-level commercial airlines. The airstrip was essential for transporting medical supplies, food, mail, building materials, and personnel (doctors, teachers, government officers), and was indispensable for urgent medical evacuations (medevacs).

Reopening Prospects

There are no known official plans or funding allocated for the reopening of Mapaio Airstrip. The Papua New Guinea Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) is responsible for restoring many of the nation's remote airstrips, but their efforts are prioritized based on community size, economic potential, and strategic importance. Given the extensive work and cost required to clear the land, rebuild the runway, and certify it for operations, Mapaio is not currently a priority. Any prospect of reopening would depend on future government initiatives, private investment, or a significant demonstrated need from the local community.

Nearby Airports

Baimuru Airport
VMU • AYBA
Baimuru, PG
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~30 km away
Purari Airstrip
PG-0037
NonePG
Small Airport
~32 km away
Ihu Airport
IHU • PG-IHU
Ihu, PG
Small Airport
~47 km away
Vailala Airstrip
AYVA
Hepa, PG
Small Airport
~50 km away
Teredau Airport
AYTD
Tetehui, PG
Small Airport
~58 km away
Wowobo Airstrip
AYBX
Wowobo, PG
Small Airport
~65 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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