CADIP Phase 3 to target rural airstrips nationwide

Monday, 28 October 2024, 2:59 pm

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt (NBCNews)

Opening up rural airstrips in the country is a key priority of the Marape-Rosso government.

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt says this will be through the Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme or CADIP Phase 3.

Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme or CADIP aims to ensure safe and secure aviation infrastructure across PNG's 22 national airports and also to ensure seamless air navigation services within PNG's sovereign airspace.

The programme has seen Phase 1 and 2 implemented since 2009. Today, CADIP Phase 3 is on the table for discussion with the maintenance and upgrade of airstrips high on the agenda.

Speaking in a media conference, Minister Schnaubelt says only 200 airstrips are operational.

“The CADIP 3 is already on the table for discussion and some of the areas that we're looking at to try and focus on going forward are the rural airstrips. We've got close to 400 rural airstrips but in operation about 200 now.

“And some of them are in dire need of maintenance. So if we can get some funding under CADIP 3 for rural airstrips, then we can get most of them operational again.

“Air services throughout our community plays an instrumental role in terms of medical education services getting through to our people in those remote areas. So opening up those rural airstrips is a priority for this government.

“And that's something that we're looking at as an important factor that we need to focus on going forward. So don't be surprised, you'll be part of CADIP 3,” Schnaubelt said.

Minister Schnaubelt highlights that airstrips have been identified for upgrade and maintenance.

“So we need now to desperately get those airstrips at a condition that those airlines or those aircraft can actually use. So we've identified those airstrips. So those airstrips we're now going to put in as part of the CADIP 3 funding to try and upgrade.

“It's going to be a window of opportunity, not a door. So we need to quickly move on this one. Phase 2 is seeing five regional airports to be upgraded. Gurney Airport in Alotau, Kiunga in the Western Province, Boram Airport in East Sepik and Hoskins Airport in West Britain Provinces,” Schnaubelt added.