TROPICAL CYCLONE HIT ENB, TOKUA AIRPORT TEMPORARY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING ON RUNWAY
CAPTION: Tokua Airport runway and Taxi way flooded due to heavy rain. INSET: NAC Acting Managing Director & CEO Mr Dominic Kaumu.
THE National Airports Corporation (NAC) advises the traveling public and all stakeholders that due to heavy rainfall since Saturday, 4th April 2026, the runway and Taxiway at Tokua Airport have been heavily flooded caused by surface water runoff from outside the airport.
According to the Acting Managing Director and CEO Mr Dominic Kaumu, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued for the temporary closure until further notice. The NAC Team in Tokua is actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as soon as the airport is deemed safe for normal operations.
NAC regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, and the general public during this time as we work to ensure safe operations at Tokua Airport.
Safety remains NAC’s highest priority.
Meantime, Assistant Director for Forecasting and Warning at the National Weather Service, Mr Benjamin Malai, says a tropical low near the Solomon Islands could bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Papua New Guinea.
Mr Malai says the system is currently outside PNG’s area of responsibility, but provinces in the New Guinea Islands region may still feel its impact.
He says Bougainville, East and West New Britain, Manus and New Ireland are already experiencing strong winds and rain.
Mr Malai says these areas may also receive heavy rain, and warnings could be upgraded if the system develops into a tropical cyclone by Sunday.
He is advising people in the affected provinces to listen to official weather updates on radio and take necessary precautions.
