The ongoing rehabilitation of Kagamuga Airport’s 2,190-metre runway in Mt Hagen is on track for completion by December 2026, clearing the way for the return of larger aircraft.

According to the National Airports Corporation (NAC), significant progress has been made, with the available runway length now extended to 1,190 meters—up from 980 meters in September. While this represents about 54 per cent of the airport's total length, the current operational capacity allows Dash 8 and ATR aircraft to continue servicing Mt Hagen without interruption.

An additional 1,000 meters of runway must still be completed to restore full operations. Crews are currently concentrated on Runway 30 at the southeast end of the airport, removing the existing chip seal surface and laying a new asphalt overlay.

To accelerate delivery ahead of the peak travel season, the NAC has implemented an intensive construction schedule. The corporation reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strict safety standards for both aircraft operations and passenger travel throughout the remaining construction period.

Once fully restored, the upgraded runway will accommodate larger aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A220, significantly strengthening air connectivity for Mt Hagen and the wider Highlands region.