Mixed emotions as planes fly into Aropa

Caption:  The famous Mangi Blo Ples getting the VIP treatment from the locals.

Caption:  Airlines PNG Dash 8 attracting curious onlookers at Aropa.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, December 14, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THERE were mixed emotions in the air on the official opening day of the re-opened Aropa airport in Kieta, Bougainville, as the Airlines PNG flight carried landowners from Port Moresby to the airport that many remembered was a vibrant hub during the heydays into the resource rich province during the Bougainville Copper Mine days.

As the plane descended to taxi down the runway, a huge sigh of relief and emotions filled the cabin of the plane, as landowners of the Aropa airport landed on an airport that has had such a tainted history during the Bougainville conflict.

The town of Kieta had for 25 years (since 1989) been without a airport so one could imagine the excitement, the sadness, and happiness that was reflected over the various faces that greeted this reporter and the group that emerged from the plane.

In a proud display the locals lined up along the front of the terminal and behind the fencing that separated the terminal from the airstrip.

Various colors rang out to life with flutes drums and the famous bamboo bands played.

Speaking to some of the locals the Sunday Chronicle was told that people were so fascinated as some born during the 25 years had not even seen planes in their lives in an era and time that we take for granted in other centers of the country.

In a display that was a serious breach of civil aviation laws, the people were given permission for the occasion to walk on the tarmac and see up close the three planes from Air Niugini, Airlines PNG, and Travel Air parked.

Despite the initial concerns, it was a very peaceful and controlled breach that some may say was more deserving for the occasion than the rules said.

A local said that some of the children referred to the planes as huge lawn mowers, referring to the buzzing sounds as lawn mowers, or vehicles as they only saw them growing up.

Many opportunities were taken with mobile phones, cameras, and tablets taken out for selfies and portrait pictures with the planes.