Banz Airport

The closure resulted from a combination of factors, primarily economic. The main reasons include:
1. **Economic Non-Viability:** The cessation of services by major third-level airlines, which were the airport's primary users, made it economically unsustainable.
2. **Improved Road Infrastructure:** The development and increased reliability of the Highlands Highway provided a more cost-effective alternative for transporting goods and people to the larger, better-equipped Kagamuga Airport (AYMH) in nearby Mount Hagen.
3. **Lack of Maintenance:** Insufficient funding for the upkeep of the runway and facilities led to deterioration, making it unsafe for aircraft operations.
4. **Consolidation of Air Services:** Air traffic in the region was consolidated to the larger provincial hub at Mount Hagen, which could handle larger aircraft and more passengers.

The airport is completely closed and non-operational. The former runway is still clearly visible on satellite imagery, but it is no longer usable for aviation. The land has been significantly encroached upon by the expansion of Banz town. Roads now cut across the former runway, and numerous houses, gardens, and commercial structures, including parts of the Banz Market, have been built on the airport grounds. The site has been repurposed for residential, agricultural, and public community use.

Banz Airport was a historically important airstrip in the Wahgi Valley, the heart of Papua New Guinea's coffee and tea industry. When active, it served as a critical link for the town of Banz, which was a key administrative and commercial center in the Western Highlands Province (now part of the separate Jiwaka Province).

Operations primarily consisted of:
- **Third-Level Airline Services:** It was a regular stop for airlines like Talair and Douglas Airways, which operated fleets of STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft such as the Britten-Norman Islander and de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.
- **Cargo Transport:** The airport was vital for flying high-value agricultural products, particularly coffee, out of the highlands, and for bringing in essential supplies, mail, and medicine.
- **Community and Government Transport:** It facilitated the movement of local residents, plantation managers, government officials, and missionary personnel.

There have been repeated discussions and political statements from the Jiwaka Provincial Government about the possibility of rehabilitating and reopening Banz Airport, along with other disused airstrips in the province. The stated goal is to boost the local economy, support the agriculture sector, and promote tourism. However, these plans face significant challenges, most notably the extensive and long-standing encroachment on the airport land. Reopening would require a major, costly effort to reclaim the land, resettle residents, and completely rebuild the runway and terminal infrastructure. As of now, there are no funded, concrete projects with a clear timeline for its reopening. Therefore, the prospects are considered uncertain and low in the near future.