Four years after initial construction and passengers traveling between Lae and other centers will now access state of the art airport facilities at the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport.
Prime Minister, James Marape who officiated at the launching said the airport signifies the friendship between Papua New Guinea and Japan.
“I want Japan, a global economic superpower, to know that it has its Tomodachi here in Papua New Guinea. My government is committed to establishing a cold storage facility in Nadzab. To store fresh fish for export directly to Japan. We aspire to be your significant partner,” Marape said.
The new terminal building was constructed at a cost of K794 million. It was funded through a soft loan of K692 million by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The concept of the airport dates back to 2005. When former Japanese Prime Minister, Late Shinzo Abe met with founding father, Late Great Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare.
Japan’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwao Horri and Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Nobuyuki Watanabe attended the ceremony as guests. Witnessing the official launch of the terminal building by Prime Minister, James Marape.
“The Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport reflects the bond of shared history. The present friendship between Japan and Papua New Guinea. As well as the collective future that lies ahead of us”, said Marape.
Marape called on airline companies to initiate flights between the two nations.
“I want to announce that this will be our second international gateway. After Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby, as far as air travel is concerned. We have established state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate international flights to and from Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport,” Marape continued.
Nadzab is the most recent of airport terminals that were given a facelift through the government’s airport development program. The others include Tari, Kavieng, Vanimo and Momote airport in Manus.