Coral and grass runway of Rakanda Airport on a tropical Papua New Guinea island, framed by coconut palms with turquoise lagoon beyond

Airport

Rakanda Airport (RAA)

Rakanda Airport is a small island airstrip serving Rakanda in Papua New Guinea's Duke of York Islands and East New Britain Province. Boat links connect the island with Kokopo and Rabaul, providing onward access to coastal villages, dive sites and nearby destinations.

Passengers

Luggage

About Rakanda Airport

Rakanda Airport is a small airstrip on Rakanda Island in the Duke of York Islands, part of East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea. It sits east of New Britain and mainly serves light aircraft and private or charter operations rather than regular commercial flights.

The airfield has wartime origins: the Japanese began building a landing ground at Rakanda in late 1943, and the Allies referred to the location as Duke of York Airfield. After the war the site was used as Rakanda Airport, with IATA code RAA, though it remains a small, low-use facility.

Access is by sea. Boats run from Kokopo to the Rakanda Plantation jetty about 1 km from the airstrip, and Kokopo and Rabaul are the main nearby towns on New Britain. Travel times depend on weather and boat services, especially during the windy season.

Because facilities are minimal, travellers using Rakanda Airport should plan transfers, supplies and accommodation in advance and treat it as a remote-island landing point rather than a full-service airport.

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Terminal Overview

Travelers walking beneath terminal signs inside an airport

Terminals

Rakanda Airport is a small island airstrip with no dedicated passenger terminal building. Operations are limited and primarily involve light aircraft, charter and private flights rather than scheduled airline services.

Ground Transportation Services to and from Rakanda Airport

Transfers

Book private transfers and coordinated boat connections from Rakanda Airport to Kokopo, Rabaul, hotels and other locations across East New Britain Province.

Hourly Chauffeur

Arrange a chauffeur by the hour in Kokopo or Rabaul for flexible travel after arriving from Rakanda Airport, including business meetings, events and island sightseeing.

Car Rental

Rent a car in Kokopo or Rabaul for independent travel around East New Britain Province after reaching the mainland from Rakanda Airport.

Bus & Group Transfers

Organise charter boats, minibuses or buses for groups travelling between Rakanda Airport, Kokopo, Rabaul, event venues and other destinations.