PANGOA AIRSTRIP RE-OPENING

The re-opening of the Pangoa Airstrip in Lake Murray, Western Province after nearly 25 years.
PC: MAF PNG Media

By Missionary Aviation Fellowship Papua New Guinea (MAF PNG)

Here are the people of Pangoa airstrip celebrating the re-opening of their airstrip after 25 years. Pangoa is close to Lake Murray in Western Province. On 30 May, MAF pilots Paul Woodington and Isreal Neale re-opened this airstrip after 25 years since the last flight (local source). Paul, normally based at Wewak, was in Mt Hagen to do training with Israel. He said:

"On landing, we were warmly welcomed to clapping and cheering and lots of sing-sing by local tribes women. I was asked to cut the ribbon to declare the airstrip open. 
The re-opening is the fruit of the partnership between the RAA and MAF. RAA had spent many months working alongside the community. They also surveyed the airstrip in preparation for our arrival. The aircraft we flew was P2-MAK, the latest of our new arrivals.
Both Israel and I gave a short thank-you talk to the community, and so did Peter from the RAA and the local councilmen.
Departing Pangoa, we took the RAA team to continue their good work at Morehead and one passenger from PANGOA to Mt Hagen, their very first passenger!"