PNP · medium airport

Girua Airport

Popondetta, Papua New Guinea

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Airports

PNPmedium airport

Girua Airport

Popondetta, Papua New Guinea

Explore Popondetta city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

AYGR

ICAO

311 ft

Elevation

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Gateway to Oro Province in Papua New Guinea's tropics.

Location

Popondetta, Papua New Guinea

Girua Airport, coded PNP and AYGR, serves Popondetta, the capital of Oro Province in Papua New Guinea. The airport provides essential air connectivity for a region that is otherwise difficult to access due to rugged terrain and limited road infrastructure. The airport handles domestic services linking Popondetta to Port Moresby and other regional destinations. It plays a vital role in supporting commerce, government operations, and humanitarian logistics in Oro Province. The surrounding Kokoda region is historically significant as the site of the World War II Kokoda Track campaign, and the airport serves as a key entry point for trekkers and historians visiting that landmark.

Terminals

The airport has a single small terminal building handling domestic passenger operations.

Getting to & from

Ground transport into Popondetta town is primarily by PMV (public motor vehicle) or private taxi, with no formal bus service.

Airlines here

Air Niugini and PNG Air operate services connecting Girua Airport to Port Moresby and other domestic destinations.

Notable facts

›Serves as the main gateway for trekkers undertaking the historic Kokoda Track.
›Located in Oro Province, one of Papua New Guinea's less densely populated regions.
›The airport is named after the Girua River area near Popondetta.
›Road access to Popondetta from other major centers is extremely limited, making air travel essential.
›The Kokoda Track, accessible via this airport, was the site of a critical WWII campaign between Australian and Japanese forces.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Gateway to Papua New Guinea's historic Kokoda heartland and Oro Province

Girua Airport serves Popondetta, the capital of Oro Province in Papua New Guinea, and acts as the primary air access point for a region steeped in World War II history, particularly the famous Kokoda Track. The airport handles limited domestic traffic, connecting Popondetta to Port Moresby and a handful of regional destinations. Its modest infrastructure reflects the rural character of Oro Province, yet it plays a vital logistical role for trekkers, aid workers, and local communities.

Terminals

Main Terminal — A small single-level domestic terminal handling check-in, arrivals, and basic passenger services.

Ground Transport

PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) shared minibuses into Popondetta town
Private taxi or hire car arranged locally
Guesthouse and lodge pickup transfers pre-arranged with accommodation

Nearby Hotels

Lamington Hotel Popondetta
Oro Guest House
Popondetta Guest House

Dining

Food options at the airport itself are extremely limited, with little more than basic refreshments available at the terminal. Popondetta town, a short drive away, offers small local eateries and market stalls serving traditional Papua New Guinean meals. Travellers are advised to carry snacks and water, particularly if planning onward journeys toward the Kokoda Track.

Traveller Tips

Confirm your flight status directly with your airline as schedules can change frequently on regional PNG routes.
Arrange accommodation pickups in advance, as formal taxi services are limited and unreliable.
Carry sufficient PNG Kina cash, as ATM access in Popondetta is scarce and card payments are rarely accepted.
If trekking the Kokoda Track, register with the Kokoda Track Authority in Popondetta before departing.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (4 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Airlines PNG

Air Niugini

Routes

PNP → TFICG · DH8

PNP → GURCG · DH8

PNP → LAECG · DH8

PNP → POMCG · DH8

PNP → POMPX · DH3 DH4 DH8

Aircraft operating here

DH85 routes De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300 Dash 81 routes De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 Dash 8Q1 routes

Hotels near PNP

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Where

Check-in

Check-out

Guests

Rooms

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