Kelaua Airstrip

The primary reason for closure, as documented by the Papua New Guinea Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA), is 'No Agent'. This is a logistical and economic reason, meaning there was no longer a person or organization (such as a mission, health clinic, or local cooperative) on the ground to manage and maintain the airstrip, coordinate aircraft movements, and ensure the runway was safe for landings and take-offs. Without an agent, an airstrip is considered unsafe and is subsequently closed.

The airstrip is officially closed and non-operational. Satellite imagery confirms that the runway is still visible on the ridge where it was built, but it is completely overgrown with grass and is not maintained. The land is likely used by the local Bimat villagers for foot traffic, small-scale agriculture, or as open community space.

Kelaua Airstrip was a critical lifeline for the remote Bimat community, located in the rugged Adelbert Range of Madang Province. Built likely in the mid-20th century by missionaries or the then-Australian administration, its purpose was to connect the isolated village to the outside world. It handled operations for small, single-engine STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the Cessna 206 or Pilatus Porter. These flights were essential for medical evacuations, delivering vital supplies like medicine, food, and tools, and transporting personnel for missionary, health, and government services.

There are currently no known official plans or active projects to reopen Kelaua Airstrip. The reopening of such airstrips in PNG is typically driven by community initiative combined with support from provincial governments, local Members of Parliament, or NGOs like the Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA). For Kelaua to reopen, the community would need to re-establish an 'agent', commit to the ongoing maintenance of the strip, and seek certification from PNG's aviation authorities. It is not currently listed as a priority for restoration.