Pureni Airport

The primary reason for the closure of Pureni Airport was the deterioration of the runway surface to a point where it became unsafe for aircraft operations. This is a common fate for many remote airstrips in Papua New Guinea, resulting from a combination of factors including lack of consistent government or private funding for maintenance, challenging weather conditions causing erosion, and vegetation overgrowth. Without regular upkeep, the grass and earth runway became unusable.

The physical outline of the runway at coordinates -5.8429, 142.8279 is still clearly visible from satellite imagery. However, it is completely unmaintained and not used for aviation. The land is overgrown with grass and is likely used by the local community as a public open space, footpath, or for small-scale gardening. There is no remaining aviation infrastructure, such as a windsock or terminal building.

Pureni Airport was a critical piece of infrastructure for the remote community of Pureni and the surrounding region in Hela Province. In a country with rugged terrain and limited road networks, such airstrips are often the only reliable means of access. Historically, it served as a vital lifeline for:
- **Medical Services:** Facilitating medical evacuations (medevacs) and the delivery of vaccines and medical supplies.
- **Mission and NGO Work:** Providing access for religious missions (like Mission Aviation Fellowship - MAF) and non-governmental organizations to deliver aid and services.
- **Government Administration:** Enabling transport for government officers, police, and teachers.
- **Economic Connection:** Allowing local communities to transport goods, such as coffee or other cash crops, to larger markets.
Operations were exclusively handled by STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the Britten-Norman Islander, Cessna Caravan, and de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, which are designed for short, unpaved runways.

There are currently no specific, publicly announced plans or allocated funding for the reopening of Pureni Airport. However, the Papua New Guinea Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) is actively working to survey, restore, and maintain rural airstrips across the country. The reopening of Pureni would be contingent upon it being prioritized by the Hela Provincial Government and the RAA. A successful reopening would require a formal partnership with the local community, who would need to commit to providing security and basic labor for its ongoing maintenance, a model the RAA uses to ensure the long-term sustainability of restored airstrips.