๐ต๐ฌ Erave, Papua New Guinea
Erave Airport (AYEV) serves the remote highland community of Erave in Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands Province, positioned at coordinates -6.61ยฐ latitude and 143.90ยฐ longitude at an elevation of 3,650 feet (1,112 meters) in the rugged mountain interior. The airport features a single runway designated 11/29 and operates as an essential airstrip under the Port Moresby Flight Information Region, providing critical aviation access to this isolated highland community located 57.8 kilometers from the provincial capital of Mendi.
The facility operates as a basic highland airstrip designed to accommodate small aircraft operations, primarily serving Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and other charter services that provide essential connectivity for this remote mountain community. Without published meteorological reports (METAR) or navigational aids on-site, operations rely on visual flight rules and coordination with pilots familiar with highland flying conditions. The nearest weather station is Mount Hagen Kagamuga Airport, located 97 kilometers away.
Erave Airport serves as a vital lifeline for medical evacuations, essential supply deliveries, and maintaining connections between the highland community and essential services in larger regional centers. The airport's role is crucial for supporting local healthcare delivery, educational services, and emergency response in an area where ground transportation is extremely challenging due to the mountainous terrain. The facility's position at over 3,600 feet elevation requires careful consideration of density altitude and weather conditions typical of Papua New Guinea's highland regions, making it accessible primarily to specialized short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft operated by experienced highland pilots.
Erave Airport (ERE) is an exceptionally remote and specialized aviation facility located in the rugged interior of the Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. For travelers, it is vital to understand that ERE is a 'bush airstrip' and does not host regularly scheduled commercial airline services like Air Niugini. Instead, the facility acts as a critical lifeline for small propeller aircraft operated by organizations such as Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and various church-led charters that connect the isolated community to provincial hubs like Mt. Hagen or Mendi. The single unpaved grass runway is designed strictly for specialized short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the Twin Otter or Cessna Caravan.
A primary operational factor for Erave is the unpredictable tropical highland weather; heavy rainfall and low cloud cover frequently lead to runway closures and sudden flight cancellations. Consequently, travelers should build significant flexibilityโoften a 24-to-48-hour bufferโinto their itineraries when connecting to onward domestic or international flights in Port Moresby. Within the basic terminal shelter, amenities are non-existentโthere are no retail, dining, or currency exchange services available on-site. Passengers must be completely self-sufficient, carrying ample food, water, and medical supplies from their point of origin.
Ground transportation to surrounding villages is exclusively via foot or occasionally by pre-arranged 4WD vehicle, as there are no formal roads or public transit links. Always confirm your charter arrangements through local mission leaders well in advance and ensure you have all necessary health permits for travel in the PNG interior. Given its specialized role, ERE remains a basic but indispensable node in the nationโs highland infrastructure.
โข Leave 24-48 hour flexibility, as weather often closes this grass strip.
โข Arrange flights through MAF or church charters, not scheduled airlines.
โข Bring food, water, and medical essentials; no amenities exist here.
โข Confirm permits and mission contacts well before PNG highland travel.
โข Ground transport is mostly foot travel or pre-arranged 4WD only.
Minimum domestic connection:
45 minutes
International connections:
75 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
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Last updated: April 2026 | Data Source: IATA and other airline sites and resources