Tabibuga Airport

The period of non-operation was due to severe deterioration of the runway. Decades of use with insufficient funding for maintenance, combined with the harsh tropical weather and rainfall, had eroded the gravel surface, making it soft, uneven, and unsafe for landings and takeoffs. This is a common issue that has affected many remote rural airstrips across Papua New Guinea.

Tabibuga Airport is currently open and fully operational. Following the extensive rehabilitation project, the original gravel runway was upgraded and sealed with bitumen. It is now an all-weather airstrip, significantly improving its reliability and safety. The airport is actively served by third-level airlines and charter operators, most notably Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) PNG and PNG Air, which conduct regular flights connecting Tabibuga with Mount Hagen and other regional hubs.

Tabibuga Airport is a critical lifeline for the remote Jimi Valley in the Western Highlands Province. Due to the mountainous terrain and limited, often impassable road networks, the airstrip has historically been the primary means of connection to the rest of the country. For decades, it handled essential services including:
- **Medical Evacuations (Medevacs):** Transporting critically ill or injured patients to hospitals in larger centers like Mount Hagen.
- **Supply Chain:** Flying in vital supplies such as medicine, educational materials, food, and trade goods.
- **Government and Church Services:** Enabling access for government officials, healthcare workers, and missionary organizations like Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), which has long served the community.
- **Economic Activity:** Facilitating the transport of local produce, primarily coffee, to market.

The airport has already been successfully reopened. Future prospects are very positive. The sealed runway reduces ongoing maintenance costs, minimizes closures due to weather, and enhances operational safety. This upgrade secures Tabibuga's role as the key transportation hub for the Jimi District, fostering greater economic development, improving access to healthcare and education, and ensuring the community remains connected.