In its first three days of operation, MAF Papua New Guinea’s newest aircraft, P2-AFD, flew into some of the country’s most isolated communities delivering passengers, patients, vegetables, and hope. Piloted by Markus Bischoff, the aircraft began its service in the challenging Min region, where air access remains the only lifeline for many.
“Busilmin is one of the really remote bush communities with a well-established but demanding airstrip,” said Markus. “We can’t go there often due to weather. It’s really ‘out bush’.
“This time there were health and education workers flying out to Telefomin, more traffic than usual.”
You actually see the impact. Around Telefomin, it’s about the basics—rice, education, medical care. What we do isn’t just convenient. It’s life changing.
Yokona is a newer airstrip, opened less than 2 years ago, and now made memorable for being the place that got the new plane dirty for the first time.
“It was so dirty, I actually felt bad about getting out there!” said Markus.
“It’s a very remote and isolated community with not a lot of people. Four people went out for work, and there was one patient and a guardian going to the Telefomin hospital.”
In communities like Tekin and Wobagen, vegetable flights support local economies by bringing store goods from Tabubil and returning with produce.
“These flights are the community’s economic lifeline,” Markus said. “They’re not as dramatic as medevacs, but they help people earn an income, pay school fees, access healthcare, and afford flights.”
Markus noted the difference this kind of steady support makes.
“Even though Wobagen and Tekin are just as remote as places like Yokona, they’re better off because of that economic flow.”
In the Min region, roads are rare or non-existent. The first roadlink is just about to be completed between the mining town of Tabubil and Telefomin.
Beyond that, airstrips are the only connection to the outside world for most.
“They talk about roads, but I doubt we’ll see them within the next ten years,” said Markus. “So, people either fly or walk—sometimes for days—with heavy loads.”
Asked what makes flying in this region so rewarding, Markus replied, “You actually see the impact. Around Telefomin, it’s about the basics—rice, education, medical care. What we do isn’t just convenient. It’s life changing.”