Ningerum Airstrip

The closure was primarily due to economic and maintenance-related issues. Like many remote airstrips in Papua New Guinea, Ningerum suffered from a lack of sustained funding for essential upkeep. The harsh tropical environment, characterized by heavy rainfall and rapid vegetation growth, caused the unpaved runway to degrade severely. Without regular grading, grass cutting, and maintenance of drainage systems, the airstrip became unsafe and ultimately unusable for aircraft operations. The closure was a result of gradual decay rather than a specific event like an accident or military conversion.

The Ningerum Airstrip site is completely abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery confirms that the former runway is entirely overgrown with dense grass and vegetation, rendering its outline barely visible. The surface is unusable for any form of aviation. The land has been reclaimed by nature, and parts of the former airstrip may be used informally by local residents as a footpath or for small-scale gardening.

Historically, Ningerum Airstrip was a critical lifeline for the Ningerum community and the surrounding district in the Western Province. Before the improvement of local road networks, it was the primary means of connection to the outside world. The airstrip was essential for:
- **Government Services:** Enabling administrative patrols and access for government officials.
- **Medical Services:** Facilitating medical evacuations and the transport of doctors, nurses, and medical supplies.
- **Missionary Work:** Heavily used by organizations like Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to support local churches, schools, and community projects.
- **Commerce and Transport:** Moving people, mail, and essential cargo to and from regional centers like Kiunga and Tabubil.
Operations were conducted almost exclusively by STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and the Britten-Norman Islander, which are designed for rugged, short-field conditions. The official ICAO code for the airstrip was AYNI and the IATA code was NGR.

There are currently no known official plans or funding allocated for the reopening of Ningerum Airstrip. The cost of rehabilitation would be significant, requiring extensive earthworks, complete clearing of vegetation, rebuilding the runway surface, and establishing proper drainage. The existence of the larger, paved Kiunga Airport (AYKI) approximately 55 km to the south, which is accessible from Ningerum via the Kiunga-Tabubil Highway, significantly reduces the strategic need and economic viability of restoring the small Ningerum strip. Therefore, the prospects for its reopening are considered very low.