Air Niugini (PX, Port Moresby) is planning to resume flights from Port Moresby and Buka to Kieta on May 7, 2019, almost three months after they were suspended due to the theft of solar panels powering the airport's Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system.

ch-aviation schedule analysis has revealed that the carrier intends to fly 1x weekly from Port Moresby via Keita to Buka and 1x weekly from Buka via Kieta to the capital using Fokker 100 equipment. The remainder of the carrier's 6x weekly flights to Buka will operate either directly or via Rabaul or Hoskins.

Air Niugini suspended flights to Kieta in July 2017, citing safety concerns caused by the poor state of infrastructure at the airport. It subsequently resumed flights in January 2019 after the installation of the PAPI lights but suspended them shortly thereafter as the system ceased to be operational.

PNG Air (CG, Port Moresby) continues to serve Kieta 3x weekly from Buka.

Both Buka and Kieta serve the restive Autonomous Region of Bougainville, also known as the North Salomons, off the eastern shore of Papua.