Third-Level airline Airlink has ceased flights to the Aitape airstrip, Tadji in Sandaun Province.

This has severed what had been the only transport service to the people in the area, with the road conditions badly deteriorated.

Airlink has not landed at the airstrip in 4 weeks because of the bad condition of the airstrip made worse by the extended wet weather.

The airlines' head office in Madang confirmed it had cancelled all flights to the area until the airstrip was fixed and was fit for use again.

There have also not been any inspections on the airstrip by Civil Aviaton Authority. A Wewak based Airport Inspector was in Aitape last week but only visited the new Yili bush airstrip. The only other airstrip in Aitape served by Airlink now is Tadji.