Awala Airstrip

The specific reason for closure is not documented, which is common for small, remote airfields in Papua New Guinea. The most probable cause is a combination of factors including: lack of consistent funding for maintenance, deterioration of the grass/dirt runway surface beyond safe operational limits due to weather and vegetation growth, and a potential decline in the specific mission, government, or commercial activity that originally sustained it. These remote strips require constant community effort to keep clear, and without external support or a compelling local need, they are often abandoned.

The airstrip is completely closed and has been reclaimed by the surrounding jungle. Current satellite imagery clearly shows the straight-line clearing of the former runway, but it is entirely overgrown with tall grass, shrubs, and trees, making it unusable for any aircraft. The site is now just a feature in the landscape, possibly used by locals for foot traffic between villages or for small garden plots.

Awala Airstrip was a vital lifeline for the isolated community in the Sinua Valley of Oro Province. Its primary role was to provide essential air transport for people and cargo. It was likely built post-WWII, either by or for missionary organizations (such as the Missionary Aviation Fellowship - MAF) or as a government 'patrol post' airstrip to facilitate administration and healthcare access. Operations would have consisted of small, Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capable aircraft, such as the Cessna 206 or Britten-Norman Islander. These flights delivered mail, medical supplies, food, and other goods, and were critical for medical evacuations, connecting the village to regional centers like Popondetta.

There are currently no known plans or prospects for reopening Awala Airstrip. The cost of rehabilitation would be substantial, requiring extensive vegetation clearing, earthworks to regrade and compact the runway, and establishing a maintenance plan. Government bodies like the Papua New Guinea Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) prioritize airstrips based on community size, economic potential, and current condition. Given the advanced state of decay and the remote location of Awala, it is highly unlikely to be considered a priority for restoration in the foreseeable future.