Laiagam Airport

The closure was primarily due to a combination of severe and persistent law-and-order problems, including tribal conflicts in the Laiagam area, which made flight operations unsafe for aircraft, crew, and passengers. This was exacerbated by a lack of consistent funding for maintenance, leading to the physical deterioration of the grass runway surface to a state considered unsafe and unusable for aircraft.

The airport is closed and non-operational. Satellite imagery shows the runway's outline is still clearly visible within Laiagam town. However, the surface is unmaintained and has effectively become a public space and thoroughfare for local residents. While the land has not been encroached upon by permanent structures, its condition is unsuitable for any aviation activity.

Built likely during the Australian colonial administration era, Laiagam Airport was a critical lifeline for the remote district. For decades, it was the primary means of transport and connection to the outside world. It was vital for government administration patrols, missionary aviation services (such as Missionary Aviation Fellowship - MAF), and crucial for medical evacuations. The airstrip facilitated the transport of essential supplies, mail, and personnel, and supported the local economy by enabling the airfreight of agricultural products. Operations were conducted by third-level airlines and mission groups using specialized STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the Pilatus Porter, Cessna 206, and Britten-Norman Islander, which are capable of operating from short, unpaved runways.

There are active and official plans to reopen the airport. The Enga Provincial Government, under Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, has initiated a program to rehabilitate and reopen several closed airstrips in the province, with Laiagam being a key priority. In partnership with Papua New Guinea's Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA), funding has been allocated, and survey work for the airstrip's rehabilitation reportedly began in early 2023. The goal of reopening is to restore vital government services, improve law enforcement capabilities, and stimulate economic development in the district. The success and timeline of the reopening are contingent on sustained funding, project execution, and establishing a stable security environment.