Papua New Guinea’s aviation sector is entering a new phase of modernization with the groundbreaking of a six-storey, state-of-the-art air traffic control (ATC) tower at Goroka Airport in Eastern Highlands Province on April 30.
The K15.7 million project, funded through the Asian Development Bank’s Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme Phase II (CADIP II), is being positioned as a critical step toward strengthening national air safety, regional connectivity, and economic growth.
Government officials, aviation stakeholders, and provincial leaders attended the ceremony, marking what was described as a “new chapter” for aviation infrastructure in the Highlands region.
The new ATC tower will replace the aging facility currently in use at Goroka Airport, which authorities say no longer meets modern operational and safety standards. Designed to align with international aviation requirements, the facility is expected to significantly enhance air traffic management in one of the country’s most geographically complex regions.
National reform agenda takes shape
Civil Aviation Minister Wake Goi said the project reflects a shift toward delivery-focused governance and long-term infrastructure planning.
“We want to see things moving; we don’t want to stay and have nothing happen,” Goi said during his keynote address. “As a minister, I must do my best to make a difference so that when I leave, people will say Minister Wake Goi did this.”
He added that the Goroka development forms part of a broader national aviation reform agenda under the Medium-Term Development Plan, with CADIP II, III, IV and V expected to progressively strengthen aviation infrastructure across the country.
Goi also outlined plans for future investments at Jacksons International Airport and signaled a policy direction to establish civil aviation as a standalone department, separate from the broader transport portfolio, to improve technical focus and institutional efficiency.
Engineering and operational gains
New Sky Pacific Limited Managing Director Graham Blythe outlined the technical and operational significance of the project, noting that the tower is designed to support continuous 24-hour operations in a high-performance aviation environment.
He said the development goes beyond physical infrastructure, focusing on safety, efficiency, and regional service delivery.
Key benefits of the new facility include:
- modern working conditions for air traffic controllers, supporting 24/7 operations
- strengthening Goroka Airport’s role as a Highlands aviation hub
- improved efficiency in transporting key economic goods such as coffee, fresh produce, and medical supplies
“For airlines and operators, it means improved reliability and enhanced safety, particularly in a region where terrain and weather present unique challenges,” Blythe said.
Provincial perspective and forward planning
Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia, who has lived in Goroka for more than 40 years, described the project as a long-overdue but essential upgrade for the region’s aviation system.
He recalled the limitations of the existing tower, which he said could accommodate only a small number of personnel.
“Now you look at this new building — a six-storey tower for this region,” Sia said. “It provides safety for property from Morobe all the way to Hela Province.”
While welcoming the investment, Sia also raised forward-looking development considerations, suggesting that feasibility studies be undertaken to assess the long-term relocation of Goroka Airport to support urban expansion.
He also called for immediate attention to operational challenges at the existing terminal, including the repair of passenger screening equipment to maintain security standards.
Economic and sectoral impact
The Goroka ATC tower project is expected to play a key role in strengthening regional aviation reliability, directly supporting commerce and service delivery in the Highlands.
Improved air navigation systems are particularly critical for Papua New Guinea’s export-driven agricultural sectors, including coffee, as well as for essential health logistics and interprovincial connectivity.
As construction begins, the project forms part of a broader push to modernize PNG’s aviation infrastructure, with stakeholders viewing it as both an economic enabler and a safety-critical investment for the country’s future.
