“A flight into Morobe highlights selfless hospitality and the lifeline MAF provides.”

Yawan, Morobe Province – Cairns Mayor Amy Eden has described her first Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) flight into rural Papua New Guinea as a humbling experience that revealed both the generosity of remote communities and the essential lifeline aviation provides.

Flying with experienced MAF pilot Bridget Ingham into Morobe Province, the Mayor saw first hand how small aircraft keep isolated villages connected. The landing was met with excitement, as families gathered around the airstrip to watch the plane arrive. Many offered gifts of produce, a gesture the Mayor said was “remarkable in its selflessness” and a reminder of the community’s generosity despite having little to spare.

Ingham also surveyed the rural airstrip to ensure its continued safety, underlining how crucial reliable aviation is for families who depend on selling coffee and crops to support themselves. “More than a flight service, MAF is a lifeline,” Mayor Eden said, noting that access to markets and medical care often comes down to whether a plane can land.

The Mayor said the experience deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by rural Papua New Guineans, as well as their resilience. She added that it also gave new meaning to the 41-year Sister City relationship between Cairns and Lae, celebrated during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary. “Our partnership is built on people and lived experiences,” she reflected, “and moments like this strengthen the friendship between our communities.”

MAF has been serving Papua New Guinea since 1951, providing not just transport but a vital connection to health services, education, and opportunity for some of the country’s most isolated populations.