Goroka airport

The new airport facility includes a new airport terminal and the upgrade of the runway, fencing and new fire engines funded by the Asian Development Bank and the PNG Government at K111 million.

The event today began with the traditional wash down of the Fokker 70 aircraft, under the command of Captain Francis Pohonhelan, into Goroka.

The new airport terminal as well as the upgraded runway was done under the Civil Aviation Development Infrastructure Program (CADIP).

The main road leading to the airport will be closed off today for the ceremony. Police went around on Monday informing residents of the event. 

A team of high level delegates from Port Moresby will be flying into Goroka today to open the new facility, which will boost tourism in the province, which is a satellite venue for the 2018 APEC Summit.

Works on the new terminal building and runway extension costs over K100 million and is funded by the Asian Development Bank and PNG Government.

Works begun following the contract signing in October 2015.

Project officers from the National Airports Corporation shared details of construction of the new airport terminal recently with TVWAN news.

The project is among other airport projects overseen by the NAC and co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the PNG Government.

The airport program costs K89 million and includes the airport terminal, an extension of the runway and new powerhouse.

President Sarah Shelley in a statement said a temporary runway was built under National Airport Corporation specifications but did not understand why the planes have stopped and will be stopping the services to Goroka.

“Yesterday (Sunday) it was reported that PNG Air had cancelled their services to Goroka because of the state of the temporary runway. 

“Today (Monday) it is reported that Air Niugini will be stopping their flights into Goroka over the weekend for the same reason.