With the recent completion of the newly 76 million-kina upgraded Gurney airport, this will enable more tourism opportunities for the people of Milne Bay Province.
Prime Minister James Marape stated that it is time to establish international flights between Brisbane and Alotau as it aligns the tourism potential that Milne Bay possesses.
Giving his keynote address at the Official Upgrade Opening ceremony at Gurney Airport, Prime Minister Marape explained that the National Government will collaborate with aviation agencies and the Milne Bay Provincial Government to establish the customs, immigration, screening, and safety arrangements required for international operations.
“I want this airport to be the first of our tourism airports in our country. I want us to target Alotau and Milne Bay as a tourism hub.”
The Prime Minister noted that Brisbane selected for consideration due to existing cruise ship movements between Australia and the Pacific, which creates a strategic opportunity to connect international air and sea travel with Milne Bay.
“We can work towards having a flight from Brisbane at the earliest coming here. You come on a boat, and you want to fly out of Alotau.”
“There is a flight for you to fly out. You want to fly in and jump on a boat here, you can fly in and jump on a boat.”
He said the airport upgrade should be supported by local investment in guesthouses, lodges and other tourism businesses, so communities can retain more of the economic benefits generated by visitors.
He also urged customary landowners to register their land and develop tourism businesses rather than sell their land, saying the government would work with the National Development Bank to support such ventures.
In addition, he stated that the K76.8 million project was financed through concessional borrowing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at less than 3% interest, with repayments scheduled to begin in 2028.
He highlighted that this investment should be viewed as an economic asset capable of generating revenue while providing improved transport infrastructure for Milne Bay.
Launched on May 24, 2024, the airport upgrade was completed 819 days later.
Prime Minister Marape concluded by calling on local leaders and surrounding communities to maintain law and order, ensuring Milne Bay can develop into a thrives as a hub for tourism, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and mining.
