PNG's K72m Wewak Airport Deal Signals End of CADIP II Works

PNG’s National Airports Corporation has confirmed that the signing of a nearly K72 million contract for Wewak Airport marks the completion of most works under the second phase of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Project.

The contract was signed on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, and awarded to the China Railway Construction Engineering Group and China Overseas Engineering Group joint venture, according to Acting Managing Director Dominic Kaumu.

 PNG's K72m Wewak Airport Deal Signals End of CADIP II Works

Mr Kaumu said the Wewak project capped more than two years of airport rehabilitation works carried out under CADIP II, which began with Gurney Airport and has progressively covered several key regional facilities.

He said only Goilala and Finschhafen remain outside the completed list, while a separate contract for Tokua Airport is expected to be signed in January.

According to Mr Kaumu, the upgrades are aligned with the government’s plans to support airline growth and the introduction of additional aircraft, allowing operators to expand routes and improve service delivery across the country.

He said Gurney Airport had already been handed over to Air Niugini, while Hoskins Airport was on track to be completed and delivered before the end of the year.

The CADIP program was launched in 2009 after the government approached the Asian Development Bank for financing support to address aging aviation infrastructure at airports owned and operated by the National Airports Corporation.

Work is now progressing on preparations for the next phase, known as CADIP III, with feasibility studies underway for a runway extension and terminal expansion at Mt Hagen Airport.

Several airports already feature asphalt runways capable of supporting Boeing 737 and Airbus A220 aircraft, including Port Moresby, Nadzab Tomodachi, Kavieng, Momote and Gurney.

At Tokua Airport in East New Britain, the first layer of asphalt surfacing was completed last year, while a second layer is still required to strengthen the runway structure.

“We can support the airlines and the government’s vision of bringing in more aircraft so they can drive revenue and serve our people through the major airports,” Mr Kaumu said.