The stranded passengers included journalists and guest who had attended the opening of the Hela Opene Polytech Institute in Enga Province on Wednesday. They could not get to the airport to return home, due to the civil unrest in Mt Hagen.
The provincial rugby league team, the Enga Mioks, were also affected. The Mioks have a Round 4 game this weekend in Port Moresby.
Chairman Philip Kepson said the team was looking at other options, including getting out through Wapenamanda, but the airport can only cater for a small aircraft.
