Marshall Islands - 2.2.1 Marshall Islands (RMI) Amata Kabua InternationalAirport

Airport Overview

RMI’s only public international airport is in the South-East part of Majuro atoll. It is served by international carrier United Airlines, Nauru Airlines regional carrier and the national airline Air Marshall Islands. United Airlines charters two cargo flights from Guam per week to supply their base in Majuro. General aviation and private jets occasionally bring passengers as well. In February 2023, Asia Pacific Airlines (APA), a cargo carrier, which provided crucial freight service in the region have been grounded by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) because of issues in pilot training.

Current airport facilities include a terminal building, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility, Air Marshall Islands Hangar and fuel delivery depot, backup generators, airport transit lounge (constructed to allow COVID-19 to quarantine for cruise passengers). The airport also houses a helicopter maintenance area (managed by Vertol System Company Inc. (VSC)) and a warehouse (for APA operations).

The 7,530 square feet terminal was built in 1975 and features a main lobby for both departing and arriving passengers where ticketing, security, shops, car rental and a restaurant are all located.

AKIA, as the main gateway of international air transport and the base of domestic air transport, is required to function as a disaster relief base for transporting people and goods in the event of a disaster. The airport terminal will be a focal point of such activities. It is, however, difficult to prevent damage from coastal flooding and tsunami, the main natural disasters, due to the low elevation of the airport land.

Airport Location and Contact

Country

Marshall Islands

Province or District

Majuro

Nearest Town or City
with Distance from Airport

Majuro 7 km

Airport’s Complete Name

Amata Kabua international Airport

Latitude

7.066546

Longitude

171.276897

Elevation (ft and m)

1.5 m

IATA Code

MAJ

ICAO Code

PKMJ

Managing Company or Airport Authority

RMI Ports Authority

Management Contact Person

Damiee Riklom

Open From (hours)

Daylight Hours

Open To (hours)

Daylight Hours

Airport Picture

image-20230612155530-2

 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration to meet all regulatory requirements.

Marshall Island Port Authority

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Ports Authority (RMIPA) is responsible for the operations and maintenance of Amata Kabua/Marshall Islands International Airport (MAJ), located in the capitol of Majuro.

Marshall Islands Postal Service Authority

The Authority provides both domestic and international mail services from six service outlets - the Uliga, Delap and airport postal stations located on Majuro atoll, the Ebeye postal station located on Kwajalein atoll, the Jabor postal station located on Jaluit atoll and the Wotje postal station located on Wotje atoll.

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

Amata Kabua International Airport upgrade came following the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outline, which resulted in improvements that included lengthening the runway and putting in place emergency service capabilities.

Performance for 2019

 

Per Year

Per Month

Per Day

Total Aircraft Movements

1374

115

4

Total Passengers

18,765

1,563

52

Total Capacity of the Airport (mt)

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Current Activity of the Airport (mt)

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS)

None

 

 

Currently, the airport only sends and receives freight through passenger aircraft and has no dedicated air freight service. All goods and passenger baggage are loaded onto the plane by hand with the use of an elevator belt platform. At a time of writing this report, the belt and X-ray platform was under repair and expected to be back in operation in May 2023. A 2.5 mt forklift is available.

Runways

Runway #1

Runway Dimensions

Length: 7,913 ft

Width: 150 ft

Orientation

7-25

Surface

Sealed; Asphalt

Weight Capacity

Single wheel: 120.0

Double wheel: 171.0

Double tandem: 290.0

image-20230612155530-3

Helicopter Pad(s)

Vertol System Company Inc. (VSC) is a certified company running a repair station performing maintenance, repair, overhaul, and modifications services on all types of helicopters and airplanes. They manage a private helicopter pad/hanger area for use for helicopters contracted by fishing vessels. There are no specific identified helipads although there is an area used by helicopters. This area also contains a hanger for servicing for tuna fishing vessel helicopters.

Helipad #1

Present

Area of use

Width and Length (m)

50 m x 50 m tarmac

100 m x 50 m grassed

Surface

Tarmac

image-20230612155530-4Helipad area

image-20230612155530-5Helicopter Maintenance Hanger

Airport Infrastructure Details

There is no individual cargo terminal building at the airport. All international cargos are handled by United Cargo at the west corner of the international terminal building, and domestic cargos are handled by AMI at the domestic terminal building.

Equipment at Majuro Airport is limited and includes passenger ramp (accommodates only certain types of aircrafts such as 747 and 767), forklift and tractor for baggage trailers. Baggage loading belt was not operational at a time of writing this report.

Customs

Yes

JET A-1 fuel

Yes

Immigration

Yes

AVGAS 100

Yes

Terminal Building

Yes

Single Point Refuelling

Yes

Passenger Terminal

Yes

Air Starter Units

No

Cargo terminal

Yes

Ground Power (mobile)

Yes

Pax Transport to Airfield

No

Ground Handling Services

Yes

Control Tower

No

Latrine Servicing

No

Weather Facilities

No

Fire Fighting Category (ICAO)

PKMJ

Catering Services

No

De-icing Equipment

No

Base Operating Room

-

Parking Ramp Lighting

Yes

Airport Radar

-

Approach & Runway Lights

Yes

image-20230612155530-6Passenger Arrivals terminal

image-20230612155530-7Passenger ramp

image-20230612155530-8Forklift

image-20230612155530-9Baggage trailers

Airport Operating Details

Operating Details

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo

No bulk cargo facilities available

Forklift only

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet

C130

Globemaster using forklift

Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²)

7876

Handling Equipment

Elevators / Hi Loaders

No

Loading Ramps

Baggage

Customs Guidance

Marshall Islands Customs maintains an office at the airport providing all customs necessities. The predominant activity at the airport is passenger arrival and departure. While there are restrictions on the import of certain items included prohibited substances and firearm the latter can be imported with the correct documentation. Customs inspection on passenger aircraft is almost no existent with little or no inspection being undertake during passenger arrival.  Shipping Agents expecting incoming goods will meet the incoming aircraft and will clear these items. All goods for import require customs declarations from the sender.

Storage Facilities

There are storage areas managed by United Airlines and Air Marshall Air. During an emergency, the airport may be used as a transit point with the construction of an MSU near the heliport hanger allowing transfer of goods from aircraft.

Airfield Costs

Navigation Charges

Airport New Tariff Rate (dated 12.01.2022 )

Charges

Aircraft Weight – MTOW (kg)

 

0 – 45,000 lbs/ 20,412 kg

45,001 - 90,000 lbs/ 20,412 - 40,823 kg

90,001 lbs / 40824 kg and over

Navigation (per journey) USD - $

TBC

TBC

TBC

Landing  USD - $

2.35

2.50

3.0

Night Landing  USD - $

As above plus

Runway and Taxi Light usage USD 50 per usage

As above plus

Runway and Taxi Light usage USD 50 per usage

As above plus

Runway and Taxi Light usage USD 50 per usage

Night Take-Off  

As above plus

Runway and Taxi Light usage USD 50 per usage

As above plus

Runway and Taxi Light usage USD 50 per usage

As above plus

Runway and Taxi Light usage USD 50 per usage

Parking

USD 6.00 per hour after 6 hours in fraction of 24 hours

USD 6.00 per hour after 6 hours in fraction of 24 hours

USD 6.00 per hour after 6 hours in fraction of 24 hours

Handling Charges

USD 225/flight

USD 225/flight

USD 225/flight

Fuel Service Charges

 

Price per gallon - USD

(as of April 2023)

Jet A-1

2.79

Avgas

2.476

Cargo Terminal Charges

There is no specific cargo terminal as all cargo come via passenger aircraft and is unloaded manually.

Import Charges

Type of Charge

Rate USD - $ per lbs

Handling Charge

USD 0.12

Break Bulk Fee

N/A

Diplomatic Mail

Unknown

Strong Room – per consignment

N/A

Cold Storage Fee

N/A

Delivery Outside Normal Working Hours

N/A

Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt

Unknown

Storage per Day

N/A

Export

Handling Charges – Un-palletized Cargo

USD 0.12

International Air Waybill

Unknown

Local Air Waybill

Unknown

Air Waybill Amendment - Cancellation

Unknown

Air Waybill Documentation

Unknown

Diplomatic Mail

Unknown

Storage Charges per Day

N/A

Security

The airport follows the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules and works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration to meet all regulatory requirements.

To access the airport, a security ID badge is required. The airport ID badge cost is USD 20. The airport is fully fenced and entry to the apron area is by way of guarded gates on the lagoon side.

Emergency Services

Emergency services consists of three firefighting tankers. Every two years, large emergency crash simulations are conducted involving Majuro Medical and fire services local and government organizations.

image-20230612155530-14Emergency services Operations Centre

image-20230612155530-15 Firefighting tankers

 

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