Air Transport

In 1954, there was a total of 140 aerodromes, flying boat bases and heliports in TPNG. The airlines carried approximately 485 tons of freight and mail and 18,000 passengers between Australia and TPNG. Recorded monthly aircraft movements in TPNG averaged 6,200, of which 3,450 were at 25 Government aerodromes, 1,250 were at 43 Administration aerodromes, 700 were at 40 private aerodromes, 400 were at 25 flying boat bases and 400 were at six heliports. Please note that a movement constitutes a take-off or landing and that the actual number of flights was therefore much less.

There were six aerodromes in TPNG that could be used by all aircraft types in use in the Territory at the time—Port Moresby, Lae, Boram (at Wewak), Nadzab (near Lae), Momote (Manus district) and Munda in the Solomon Islands. Two others could be used by aircraft up to the size of a DC4, 35 more by aircraft up to the size of a DC3 with the remainder suitable only for light aircraft. Port Moresby and Rabaul flying boat bases were suitable for all types; other bases were suitable only for Catalinas and smaller types. Many of the aerodromes serviced mission stations.

For some years Qantas Sandringham flying boats flew on a regular schedule between Australia and Port Moresby. By December 1954, DC4s had replaced the Sandringhams.

Catalinas were used by Qantas on a flying boat service between Port Moresby and Rabaul which ceased in July 1958.

World Wide Air Services, supporting an oil search company, operated Catalinas from Fairfax Harbour to various water bases at the head of the Gulf of Papua.

Helicopters were used in oil search activities.

Bureau of Meteorology