After decades of isolation, a pivotal breakthrough has been made to reestablish MAF operations in Bougainville.
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, situated east of Papua New Guinea, is home to numerous isolated communities nestled among dense mountains and rugged terrain. These people, like many that MAF serves, have no access to vital services. Civil war and political unrest have left them struggling in silence.
MAF has a history in Bougainville, operating here from 1965 to 1975. Operations helped to launch Bougainville Air Services (later called Boug-Air), bringing economic and community development. However, due to significant operational challenges and conflict, MAF hasn’t landed in the region for over 25 years.
But hope has been renewed for the people of Bougainville with a promise of MAF’s return.
Alongside church and government representatives, MAF proudly signed an agreement with the Autonomous Bougainville Government in April 2025 to return to the region.
A generous gift from the government will support the infrastructure of an aircraft hangar and the development of a technical centre, affirming their commitment to bring help, hope, and healing to the people of Bougainville.
This agreement couldn’t have come sooner, with locals crying out for help.
Pastor Albert Magoi has been a key advocate of MAF’s return, speaking of years of silence in the skies where boats capsized, and mountain paths claimed lives.
“When I transport literature through boat transportation, I see that the boats have been lost on the seas. When I tried to transport through the mountains, I’ve had to do it by the large rivers or by walking, and I’ve seen they have been lost.”
“People have been lost, and mothers have died on the high seas.”
Work has already begun, with MAF Technologies completing the first in a series of high-frequency radio and solar power system installations in Roreinang.
These systems will bring reliable power and communication to health clinics, enabling them to run vaccine fridges, manage nighttime emergencies, and communicate with the nearest hospital.
This has brought excitement and renewed hope to this community, with Pastor Samuel Miritoro expressing his gratitude towards the MAF team.
“It will change my life, and the life of the community and the life of this village here in Roreinang – in terms of communication, health, and the services that MAF will give. Thank you.”
This is just the beginning, with a vision to reopen several airstrips in the region and reach even more communities in Bougainville with help, hope and healing. And the people are more than ready.
“People are already clearing airstrips, waiting for MAF’s planes to land again.”
STORY / TAJS JEPERSON & KATHY BURROWS PHOTOS / TAJS JEPERSON, AMBROSIUS RAVANA, JOY WOLFF
This story was originally published in "Flying for Life - Summer 2026." To read the full issue, click here.