Flights have resumed into the Komo airfield, operated by ExxonMobil PNG on behalf of PNG LNG, following the 26 February earthquake.
The first flight with staff on board arrived at Komo airfield on 26 April 2018. A cargo plane delivering earthquake relief landed shortly after.
ExxonMobil PNG Managing Director, Andrew Barry, said the reinstatement of Komo airfield in such a short timeframe is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved.
“The Komo airfield is an integral piece of infrastructure, its reopening is a significant step forward and restores important transport and logistics infrastructure to assist with our operations and delivery of relief and recovery support for communities.
“We’d like to thank the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for accommodating timely inspections of the repaired runway to ensure we could resume flights into the airfield as quickly as possible,” said Barry.
In consultation with aircraft operators and design contractors, ExxonMobil PNG repaired cracks and depressions to the runway, re-marked the entire airstrip and repaired fencing in line with the highest safety standards.
Local landowner company, Hides Gas Development Company, assisted with the repairs along with teams from Wood Group and Aurecon. Non-critical repairs to various Komo airfield facilities will be finalised in subsequent phases.
ExxonMobil PNG is also assisting the government to build infrastructure and key roads and bridges for Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces that were destroyed during the disaster.
Humanitarian support provided by ExxonMobil PNG includes 50 tons of food and drinking water, 600 tarpaulins, 1,020 solar lights and other essential items such as purification tablets, cooking aids and hygiene kits. Exxon Mobil Corporation has also provided nearly K3.5 million towards humanitarian relief. Longer term support is being provided for the restoration of health care facilities, education services and community food gardens.
(Jukuli Kapiako of APNG; WLN and ExxonMobil PNG staff arriving on the first flight that landed at Komo airfield)