Amboin Airstrip

The primary reason for the closure was almost certainly due to a lack of maintenance combined with economic non-viability. Small, remote airstrips in Papua New Guinea require constant upkeep to combat vegetation growth and erosion from heavy rainfall. Without consistent funding from government or private entities, and with insufficient air traffic to make it commercially sustainable, the runway surface would have deteriorated until it was deemed unsafe for aircraft to land and take off.

The site is completely abandoned as an airfield. High-resolution satellite imagery confirms that the former runway is entirely overgrown with dense jungle vegetation and is no longer distinguishable from the surrounding landscape at ground level. The land has been reclaimed by the local community for other uses, including gardens and possibly small dwellings, which encroach upon the former runway alignment. It is in no condition to handle any type of aircraft.

When active, Amboin Airstrip was a critical piece of infrastructure for the isolated community of Amboin and the surrounding villages in the Karawari River area of East Sepik Province. It served as a lifeline, connecting residents to the outside world. Operations primarily consisted of:
- **Medical Evacuations:** Transporting critically ill or injured patients to hospitals.
- **Essential Cargo:** Flying in vital supplies such as medicine, food, fuel, mail, and building materials.
- **Passenger Transport:** Providing the only means of rapid transport for local residents, government officials, and missionaries.
Operations were handled by specialized third-level carriers and missionary aviation groups (such as Mission Aviation Fellowship - MAF) using rugged STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, like the Cessna 206 or Britten-Norman Islander, which are designed for such challenging environments.

There are currently no known or published plans to reopen Amboin Airstrip. The significant cost and labor required to clear the dense vegetation, regrade the runway, and potentially relocate community gardens or structures make reopening a major undertaking. While Papua New Guinea's Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) works to restore vital airstrips, Amboin does not appear to be on any current priority lists. Without a significant new economic driver (like a major resource project) or a strong community and government push, the prospects for its reopening are extremely low.