Tauta Airport

The closure was primarily due to economic and maintenance-related reasons. Like many remote airstrips in Papua New Guinea, operations ceased because of the high cost and logistical difficulty of maintaining the runway in a safe condition. Without consistent funding or a dedicated local maintenance program, the grass runway became overgrown and unsafe for aircraft, leading to the suspension of services by air operators.

The site of the former airport is currently abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery of the coordinates shows the faint but clear outline of a single grass runway. The entire surface is completely overgrown with tall grass and shrubs, making it unusable for any type of aircraft. The strip appears to be used as an open community space or pathway by the adjacent village. There is no remaining airport infrastructure, such as a terminal building, hangar, or markings.

Tauta Airport was a vital 'bush' airstrip that served as a critical lifeline for the remote community of Tauta, located in the rugged Finisterre Range of Madang Province. In a region with virtually no road access, the airstrip was essential for connecting the local population to the rest of the country. When active, it handled operations by light, Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the Cessna 206, Britten-Norman Islander, and Pilatus Porter. These flights, often conducted by missionary aviation groups (e.g., Mission Aviation Fellowship - MAF) and third-level commercial carriers, were used for medical evacuations (medevacs), transporting essential supplies like food and medicine, delivering mail, and providing access for missionaries, health workers, and government patrols.

There are no known official plans or active projects for the reopening of Tauta Airport. The restoration of rural airstrips in Papua New Guinea is often undertaken by the Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) in partnership with local communities and provincial governments. For Tauta to be reopened, it would require a significant effort to clear, level, and restore the runway, along with a sustainable plan for its ongoing maintenance. As of now, no such initiative for Tauta (PG-0150) has been publicly announced.