Gurney airport terminal to be demolished in September for major upgrade

The current terminal building at Gurney Airport, which has served the Alotau region for more than 20 years, will be demolished in September this year to make way for a modern replacement.

Program Director of Civil Aviation Development Investment Program [CADIP] Wellington Warren said this development is part of the K76.8 million Gurney Airport Upgrade Project under the CADIP.

The new terminal, designed under the National Airports Corporation’s [NAC] Type B standards, will be a state-of-the-art two-storey facility. It is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Other components of the upgrade include the expansion of the aircraft apron to accommodate larger planes such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A220, extension of the runway, and installation of advanced airfield lighting systems to improve visibility and safety.

The Gurney upgrade is one of five major airport redevelopment projects currently underway across Papua New Guinea under CADIP.