Kubin Island Airport (KUG)

Kubin Airport (KUG), also identified by its ICAO code YKUB and locally known as Arkai Airstrip, is a regional aviation facility located on the southern side of Moa Island in the Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia. Owned and operated by the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC), the airport serves as a vital transportation link for the community of Kubin and the surrounding region. The facility features a single sealed runway (11/29) measuring approximately 1,000 meters in length, providing essential aerial access for commerce, healthcare, and regional travel. The passenger terminal at Kubin is a modest, single-story building that provides functional services tailored to the needs of the local community. Recent regional development initiatives have focused on improving the facility's basic amenities, including the addition of waiting sheds and modernized seating areas to enhance passenger comfort. Inside, travelers can find essential check-in services provided by regional carriers such as Skytrans and Hinterland Aviation, which operate regular flights connecting Moa Island to hubs like Horn Island (HID) and neighboring communities. Infrastructure at the airport is maintained through the Australian Federal Government's Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program (RAUP), with ongoing projects focusing on runway resurfacing and drainage improvements to ensure operational continuity during the tropical wet season. While terminal amenities are limited to essential transit facilities, the airport remains a critical node for the island's approximately 150 residents and visiting personnel. Ground transportation is informal, with pre-arranged transport typically used to connect arriving passengers to the nearby Kubin community and local administrative centers, situated just a short distance from the airfield.