Misima airstrip runway works to start in March

Work on the Misima Airstrip runway is set to begin this March, following the awarding of a K2.6 million rehabilitation contract to local company Mickey’s Carrier Limited.

The contract award ceremony was held in Alotau on Monday and was facilitated by the Rural Airstrips Agency, which received funding in 2023 to rehabilitate and maintain the Misima Airstrip to meet Civil Aviation Safety Authority standards.

The rehabilitation has been long awaited. In August 2020, the Misima Airstrip was issued a Notice to Airmen, suspending operations for third-level airlines, including PNG Air. Since then, many Misima residents have relied on sea transport between Alotau and Misima.

Sharon Mua, Acting Provincial Administrator, MBP.

The company is mobilizing they say work will begin in March and the project should be delivered by the end of the year.

These runway works is the big portion of compliance requirements by CASA for certification and resumption of normal flight operations into Misima.