The Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) is an isolated collection of islands and atolls between the Papua New Guinea mainland and the Solomon Islands.

On 4 April 2025, MAF proudly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), marking a historic milestone in our partnership to bring essential services to isolated communities in Bougainville. This agreement secures the ABG’s financial support for the startup of MAF operations in the region, advancing our mission to provide help, hope, and healing through aviation and technology.

Bougainville’s rugged terrain – dense mountains and remote islands – has long isolated communities from essential services. The high cost and lack of transport options are a big barrier to patients obtaining treatment and for students getting access to education.

With poor road links from outlying areas to the capital Buka, often made worse by flooding, it can take seven to eight hours to reach the nearest hospital. 

Our Operation

MAF has a history in Bougainville. Beginning in 1965, MAF provided much needed air services to remote outlying communities serving churches, missions, hospitals and schools. In 1971 the operation had grown to become its own entity, ‘Bougainville Air Services’. In 1974 the provincial government purchased Bougainville Air Services. MAF staff stayed on until 1975 to manage the transition.

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, is emerging from a brutal civil war and secessionist conflict that ran from 1988 to 1997. A peace agreement was brokered in 2000 and, after an overwhelming vote for independence in 2019, Bougainville is working towards independence in 2027.

MAF Technologies has already begun providing services throughout the country in solar power and HF radio solutions and computer training services for churches, schools, clinics, and hospitals. The aviation arm of MAF will provide aviation services essential to healthcare, education, church outreach, and development work.