Buka Airport (AYBK)
Medium airport · Buka Island, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea
Airport data
| Name | Buka Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | AYBK |
| IATA | BUA |
| Elevation | 11 ft (3 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 5°25'20" E 154°40'22" -5.42230, 154.67270 |
| Location | Buka Island, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 5,125 ft (1562 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Buka Airport at a glance
Buka Airport is a medium airport in Buka Island, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, known to airline systems as BUA. The field elevation of 11 ft (3 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at AYBK are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 04/22, offers 5,125 ft (1562 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 04 points roughly 40° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for AYBK shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Buka Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Tokua Airport | AYTK | 281 km (152 NM) |
| Munda Airport | AGGM | 431 km (233 NM) |
| Hoskins Airport | AYHK | 472 km (255 NM) |
| Kavieng Airport | AYKV | 533 km (288 NM) |
| Gurney Airport | AYGN | 724 km (391 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Buka Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 11 ft field elevation of Buka Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 21 airports and airfields we list for Papua New Guinea — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Buka Airport
What is the ICAO code of Buka Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Buka Airport is AYBK, and its IATA code is BUA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Buka Airport above sea level?
Buka Airport sits at an elevation of 11 feet (3 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Buka Airport located?
The airport lies at -5.4223, 154.6727 — in Buka Island, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Tokua Airport, about 281 km away.
Does AYBK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for AYBK appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Buka Airport?
Buka Airport has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 5,125 ft (1562 m) with a ASP surface.