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Buka Airport Coastal & Island Airport illustrationCoastal & Island Airport
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BUAmedium airport

Buka Airport

Buka Island, Papua New Guinea
Explore Buka Island city guide Navigate to this airport
4
Routes out
3
Destinations
AYBK
ICAO
11 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Gateway to Bougainville's islands and communities.

Location
Buka Island, Papua New Guinea
Buka Airport (IATA: BUA, ICAO: AYBK) serves Buka Island, the administrative hub of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. It is the primary air gateway to the region, connecting Buka with Port Moresby and other domestic destinations across PNG. The airport operates a single runway and handles a modest volume of passengers, primarily serving government officials, aid workers, and local residents. It plays a critical role in a region where road and sea transport are limited. Buka is situated close to the town of Buka, which lies just across a narrow passage from the larger island of Bougainville. The airport supports the region's ongoing development following the peace process that ended the Bougainville conflict.
Terminals
The airport has a small, single terminal building suited to the low passenger volumes of a regional PNG airport.
Getting to & from
Ground transport into Buka town is available via local taxis and public motor vehicles (PMVs), with the town located a short distance from the airport.
Airlines here
Air Niugini and PNG Air operate scheduled services connecting Buka to Port Moresby and other domestic points.
Notable facts
  • ›Buka Airport is the main air entry point for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
  • ›The airport lies on Buka Island, separated from mainland Bougainville by the narrow Buka Passage.
  • ›The region it serves was the center of a decade-long civil conflict that ended in 1998.
  • ›Bougainville held an independence referendum in 2019, with over 97% voting for independence from PNG.
  • ›Air connections are essential due to limited road infrastructure across the island chain.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (3 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Airlines PNG
CG
Air Niugini
PX

Routes

BUA → RABCG · DH8
BUA → RABPX · 100 DH8
BUA → LNVPX · DH8
BUA → POMPX · 100

Aircraft operating here

DH83 routesFokker 1002 routes
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City & Place Guide

Gateway to Bougainville's pristine reefs, history, and island culture.

Buka Island sits at the northern tip of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, separated from the larger Bougainville Island by the narrow Buka Passage. As the regional hub, Buka town hosts the main airport, government offices, and a lively market, making it the practical entry point for travelers exploring the broader Bougainville archipelago.

The island carries a layered history shaped by German and Australian colonial periods, World War II, and the decade-long Bougainville Crisis that ended in 1998. Today it projects a cautious optimism following the 2019 independence referendum, welcoming visitors with warm hospitality and relatively undisturbed natural surroundings. Facilities are modest but improving, and the pace of life is unhurried.

  • •Buka Passage — narrow, fast-flowing strait perfect for drift diving and watching traditional canoe traffic.
  • •Buka Market — colorful daily market selling fresh produce, betel nut, and locally woven baskets.
  • •Sohano Island — former colonial administrative center in the Passage with historic buildings and good snorkeling.
  • •WWII Relics — scattered Japanese and Allied aircraft wreckage, bunkers, and gun emplacements around the island.
  • •Hangan Village — traditional community offering insight into local custom, weaving, and shell-money practices.
  • •Lonahan Beach — quiet black-sand beach ideal for relaxing and watching outrigger canoes at sunset.

Getting around: Buka has no rail system; the primary local transport is PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) minibuses and open-back trucks that run set routes cheaply between town and villages. Taxis and hired vehicles are available in Buka town and can be negotiated for day trips. Boats and small dinghies cross Buka Passage frequently and cheaply, connecting to Bougainville Island. Rideshare apps do not operate here.

Best time: The driest and calmest months from May through October offer the best conditions for diving, snorkeling, and travel around the island.

Local food: Try fresh reef fish cooked in coconut cream, sago-based dishes, roasted taro, and locally grown cocoa products that reflect Bougainville's rich agricultural heritage.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via BUA? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Papua New Guinea from official government sources.

Papua New Guinea visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →
Encyclopaedia

Buka Airport is an airport serving Buka Island in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification