Kunua Airport

The closure was a direct consequence of the Bougainville Crisis. The conflict led to a complete breakdown of civil administration and transport infrastructure across the island. The Papua New Guinea government imposed a military and economic blockade, making air travel to remote locations impossible. The airstrip was abandoned and fell into disuse, eventually being reclaimed by the surrounding jungle. It was not closed due to a specific accident or standard economic reasons, but rather as a result of widespread civil war.

The airport is completely defunct and abandoned. Satellite imagery of the coordinates shows the former runway is entirely overgrown with dense jungle and trees, making it indistinguishable from the surrounding landscape except for a faint, straight clearing visible from above. There is no remaining aviation infrastructure, such as a terminal, hangar, or navigation aids. The site is currently unused for any purpose.

Kunua Airport was a vital infrastructure asset for the remote Kunua District on the northwest coast of Bougainville Island. As a typical rural 'bush' airstrip, it primarily handled Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the Britten-Norman Islander and Cessna models. Operations were likely carried out by Papua New Guinea's third-level airlines (e.g., Talair) and various mission aviation fellowships. The airport was a critical link for the local community, facilitating the transport of passengers, medical supplies, mail, and essential goods. It also played a crucial role in the local economy by enabling the air-freighting of agricultural cash crops like cocoa and copra to larger centers for export.

There are long-term aspirations but no concrete, funded plans for reopening. The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has frequently expressed its intention to rehabilitate remote airstrips, including Kunua, to improve government service delivery and stimulate economic development in isolated regions. Reopening the airstrip would support the local cocoa industry and provide better access to healthcare and education. However, the project would require substantial investment for land clearing, runway reconstruction, and the installation of basic facilities. As of now, it remains a low-priority project compared to other major infrastructure needs in the region, and no active work or official timeline for its reopening has been announced.