Bapi Airstrip (BPD)

Bapi Airstrip (BPD) is a vital regional aviation facility serving the remote community of Bapi in the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. Situated in the rugged foothills of the Saruwaged Range at an elevation of approximately 4,587 feet (1,398 meters), the airport features a single 495-meter (1,624 feet) grass and brown clay runway. The facility serves as an essential lifeline for this isolated highland community, providing the only rapid connection for the transport of essential medical supplies, educational materials, and regional government administration in a territory where road access is virtually non-existent due to the mountainous terrain. The 'terminal' at Bapi is a modest, functional open-air structure designed to manage domestic regional traffic with high efficiency. It features a centralized waiting area and a manual check-in counter where regional carriers and mission staff coordinate flight manifests for the critical link to the regional hubs of Lae and Wau. The facility is characteristic of the remote highland airfields in Papua New Guinea, with an informal atmosphere and high level of community integration. Boarding typically involves a short walk from the sheltered waiting zone directly to the aircraft, primarily accommodating regional turboprops such as the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. Amenities within the terminal are non-existent for the general public, and the facility lacks formal public restrooms, dining areas, or retail outlets. Travelers using the facility are typically affiliated with government, research, or missionary missions and are required to be entirely self-sufficient. Ground transportation is restricted to local walking paths and a few regional tractors that connect the airfield to the various settlements along the Bapi ridge. The airport remains a strategic piece of infrastructure for the region's development, offering a unique arrival experience for adventurous travelers and specialized mission crews in one of the most remote corners of the Morobe interior.