Sibidiri Airstrip

The closure was not due to a single event but rather a combination of factors common to remote airstrips in Papua New Guinea. The most likely reasons include: 1) **Lack of Maintenance:** The local community is responsible for keeping the grass runway cut and clear of obstacles. Over time, without consistent upkeep, the airstrip would have become overgrown and unsafe. 2) **Deterioration of Surface:** Without maintenance, the runway surface would have deteriorated due to weather, erosion, and vegetation growth, making it too soft or uneven for safe landings and takeoffs. 3) **Economic and Demographic Factors:** A decline in the local population, a shift in economic activity, or a reduction in mission or government services to the area would have decreased the demand for flights, making the airstrip economically unviable to maintain and service.

The airstrip is abandoned and has been reclaimed by nature. Satellite imagery of the coordinates (-8.963, 142.262) clearly shows the faint outline of a runway in a clearing in the jungle. However, the entire surface is completely overgrown with tall grass and shrubs, rendering it unusable for any type of aircraft. There are no visible structures or signs of current aviation-related activity. The land is likely used for local foot traffic or has reverted to undeveloped bushland.

Sibidiri Airstrip was a vital lifeline for the remote community it served in the Western Province. Like hundreds of similar 'bush' airstrips in PNG, it was likely constructed in the mid-to-late 20th century by or for missionary organizations (such as Mission Aviation Fellowship - MAF), the government, or the local community itself. Its primary purpose was to connect an otherwise isolated population with the outside world. Operations would have exclusively involved light, STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the Cessna 206, Pilatus Porter, or Britten-Norman Islander. These aircraft provided critical services, including medical evacuations (medevacs), delivery of medicine, food, and mail, and transportation for church, government, aid, and education personnel. For the community, the airstrip was the main conduit for emergency services and essential supplies.

There are no known specific plans or official prospects for the reopening of Sibidiri Airstrip. The reopening of such airstrips in Papua New Guinea is a complex and costly process, typically managed by organizations like the Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) in partnership with provincial governments and local communities. Any potential reopening would require a full technical survey, significant investment in clearing and rehabilitating the runway, and a long-term commitment from the local community to perform regular maintenance. Given the large number of closed airstrips across PNG, priority is generally given to those serving larger, more strategically important, or more isolated communities. As of now, Sibidiri (PG-0098) is not on any publicly known list for rehabilitation.