Fuma Airport (FUM)

Fuma Airport (FUM) is a remote domestic airstrip serving the community of Fuma in the Hela Province of Papua New Guinea. Located in one of the most rugged and inaccessible regions of the country, the airfield consists of a short unpaved runway and acts as an absolute lifeline for the local population. It provides the primary means of transport for medical supplies, educational materials, and essential goods into a region where road infrastructure is non-existent and travel between villages often requires days of walking through dense tropical rainforest. The terminal infrastructure at Fuma is extremely rudimentary, characteristic of the isolated bush airfields found throughout the PNG highlands. There is no formal passenger building; instead, a simple open-air shelter or community gathering point near the grass runway serves as the reception and processing area. Amenities are virtually non-existent, with no commercial retail shops, dining facilities, or public restrooms dedicated solely to the airport site. All passenger processing, manifest checks, and cargo weighing are managed manually by the pilots or local village agents directly on the airfield surface. Flight operations are predominantly conducted by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and specialized charter operators like Tropicair, which utilize STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) aircraft to navigate the demanding terrain. The airstrip connects Fuma with regional hubs such as Mount Hagen (HGU) and the national capital, Port Moresby (POM). Due to the high altitude and unpredictable mountain weather, flight operations are strictly limited to daylight hours and are highly sensitive to cloud cover and seasonal monsoons. Travelers are strongly advised to coordinate their arrival with local mission organizations or community leaders well in advance to ensure landing support and basic assistance.