Upgraded airstrip completed at Karisparu

Air travel to the Amerindian village of Karisparu in Region Eight is now safer following a $314.4 million upgrade to the community’s airstrip, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.

The investment transformed the once uneven, sand-gravel runway, which was prone to waterlogging during heavy rainfall and poor aircraft performance in dry conditions into a functional concrete surface.

According to the Ministry of Public Works, the upgraded airstrip retains its original alignment and now measures 720 metres in length and 15.24 metres in width, with a 125mm thick concrete surface, along with a 30-metre by 30-metre aircraft apron.

DPI said that the key elements of the rehabilitation work include topographic and engineering surveys, the application of a 150mm sand-gravel levelling course, followed by a 150mm sand-gravel base course, and finally the placement of the 125mm concrete surface.

Ideal Engineering Services finished these works by the June 4, 2025 deadline, DPI added.