The Nadzab Airport located approximately 35km to the northwest of Lae City in Morobe Province, will be redeveloped at a cost of K692 million, funded by the PNG Government and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project is part of the National Airports Corporation – Business Strategy to partner with strategic stakeholders including provincial governments to achieve 15 Smart Airports by 2030 in order to drive the National Government’s aspirations for increased accessibility, economic growth and development.
Funding for the project is comprised of JICA loan of 26,942 Billion Japanese Yen (approximately K578 million) and GoPNG counterpart funding of K114 million.
Once upgraded, Nadzab will accommodate B737 class aircraft and be able to handle diverted aircraft such as B767, B777 and B787 as an alternate airport to Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport.
The upgrade will also enable Nadzab Airport to handle the growing demand for cargo and passenger movements in the Momase and Highlands regions triggered by increasing economic activities.
Nadzab Airport Redevelopment Project (NARP) will be undertaken in two components.
The first component comprises:
- widening and strengthening of the existing runway, taxiways and new concrete apron, capable of accommodating two B737 type aircrafts;
- construction of new taxiways and apron with improvements to aeronautical ground lights;
- construction of new passenger terminal building, administration building and associated utilities;
- renovation of the existing control tower;
- and construction of a new carpark and landside facilities.
The second component involves Flood Embankment to protect the airport from the nearby Erap River during times of flooding.
The project is expected to be completed in November 2022 and will be led by contractor, Dai Nippon Nippo Joint Venture who was awarded the contract by NAC in November 2019.
