GURNEY SET FOR INTERNATIONAL STATUS; PM MARAPE

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

PRIME Minister James Marape has announced ambitious plans to turn the newly upgraded Gurney Airport in Alotau into an International Airport.

Speaking at the official opening yesterday, the Prime Minister said the new facility will create a gateway for Milne Bay Province to become a premier tourism hotspot.

Mr Marape said construction started on the 15th of April 2025, and exactly 818 days later, the state-of-the-art facility is now complete.

He thanked the National Airports Corporation, the Asian Development Bank, and contractor China Railway Construction Engineering Group for delivering the upgrade.

The Prime Minister also called on the young people of Milne Bay to take care of the airport.

He said with the new facilities, Milne Bay can now showcase its oil palm, fisheries, and tourism potential to grow the economy.