Porgera Airport

The closure was due to economic and logistical reasons related to the expansion of the Porgera Gold Mine. The land occupied by the original airstrip was required by the Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) for the mine's expanding operational footprint, specifically for the placement of waste rock dumps and other mining infrastructure. A new, larger, and more modern airport was built at a nearby location (Kairik) to better serve the mine's growing needs.

The site of the former Porgera Airport no longer exists as an airfield. The land has been completely re-purposed and is now an integral part of the Porgera Gold Mine's surface operations. Satellite imagery of the coordinates confirms that the area where the runway once lay is now covered by large waste rock dumps and other mine-related infrastructure. The original runway and any associated buildings have been entirely removed or buried.

This original Porgera airstrip was of immense historical significance as the primary lifeline for the establishment and early operation of the massive Porgera Gold Mine. Located in extremely remote and rugged terrain in Enga Province, the airport was essential for the initial exploration, construction, and supply of the mine. It handled frequent flights of STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and DHC-7 Dash 7. Operations included the transport of the fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) workforce, critical equipment, food supplies, medical evacuations, and the high-security transport of gold doré from the mine. For nearly a decade, it was the sole air link connecting the world-class mining operation to the rest of Papua New Guinea and beyond.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening this airport. The site has been physically and permanently integrated into the mine's operational area. All aviation services for the Porgera mine and the surrounding community are handled by its replacement, Kairik Airport (AYPG), which remains operational to serve the mine's logistical needs.