Boku Airport

The airport was closed due to the outbreak of the Bougainville Civil War. The conflict led to a complete breakdown of civil administration, infrastructure, and security across the island. All non-military air services were suspended indefinitely due to the extreme danger and instability. The airstrip, like many other remote facilities, was abandoned as government services and commercial operators withdrew from the region.

The airport is officially closed and non-operational. Satellite imagery of the coordinates (-6.5427, 155.3419) shows a clearly defined grass/dirt runway that is overgrown in places but still visible. There is no modern airport infrastructure such as a terminal, lighting, fencing, or navigation aids. The site has largely reverted to community land, and the runway is likely used as a path or open space by local residents. It is not certified for any regular aviation activity and would only be usable in an emergency by specialized aircraft (e.g., helicopters or STOL planes) with prior knowledge of the site's condition.

Prior to its closure, Boku Airport was a vital third-level airstrip connecting the remote Boku district with the rest of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. It was a critical piece of infrastructure in a region with rugged terrain and limited road access. Operations primarily consisted of:
- **Light Aircraft Services:** It handled small, Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft operated by regional carriers like Talair and Bougainville Air Services.
- **Community & Government Link:** It facilitated the transport of essential supplies, mail, medical personnel, and government officers to the local communities.
- **Mission Aviation:** Religious and medical missions used the airstrip extensively to provide services to the surrounding villages.
- **Economic Activity:** It supported local agricultural economies, likely being used to transport cash crops like cocoa and copra to larger ports and markets.

There are currently no known official plans by the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) or Papua New Guinea's National Airports Corporation (NAC) to reopen or re-certify Boku Airport for scheduled commercial operations. The government's focus for aviation infrastructure has been on the larger, economically vital airports, namely Buka Airport (BUA) and the reopened Aropa Airport (KIE) near Kieta. Re-establishing a network of small, remote airstrips like Boku would require significant investment and is considered a low priority. Any future prospect of reopening would likely depend on specific local economic drivers, such as a major agricultural project or renewed mining interest in the area, which is not currently on the horizon.