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Gateway to East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea.
Opened
1994
Location
Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
Tokua Airport, designated by IATA code RAB and ICAO code AYTK, serves Kokopo and the wider East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea. It functions as the primary commercial airport for the region, replacing Rabaul Airport following the catastrophic 1994 volcanic eruptions that devastated the former capital city of Rabaul.
The airport is located near Tokua, approximately 50 kilometres east of Kokopo, the current provincial capital. It handles domestic routes connecting the region to Port Moresby and other Papua New Guinea destinations, supporting both passenger and cargo traffic important to the regional economy.
East New Britain is a significant economic and cultural hub in Papua New Guinea, and Tokua Airport plays a vital logistical role for the province's agricultural exports, tourism, and government services. The facility has undergone infrastructure improvements over the years to accommodate growing regional demand.
Terminals
The airport operates a single terminal building handling both domestic and limited international passenger processing.
Getting to & from
Ground transport between the airport and Kokopo is primarily served by taxis and privately arranged vehicles, with the journey taking approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
Airlines here
Air Niugini and PNG Air are the primary carriers operating scheduled services through Tokua Airport.
Notable facts
- ›The airport was developed as a replacement for Rabaul Airport after the 1994 eruptions of Tavurvur and Vulcan volcanoes buried much of Rabaul.
- ›Despite serving Kokopo, the airport retains the IATA code RAB in reference to the former city of Rabaul.
- ›The airport is situated on the Gazelle Peninsula of New Britain island.
- ›East New Britain Province is known for its cocoa and copra exports, which rely on the airport for logistical connectivity.
- ›The 1994 volcanic disaster that prompted the airport's development displaced thousands of residents from Rabaul.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
