Nonstop flight route between Nikolai, Alaska, United States and Buka Island, Papua New Guinea:
Departure Airport:
(63°1'6"N by 154°21'29"W)
Arrival Airport:
(5°25'19"S by 154°40'21"E)
Distance from NIB to BUA:
5,420.36 miles (8,723.20 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- NIB Airport Information
- BUA Airport Information
- Facts about NIB
- Facts about BUA
- Map of Nearest Airports to NIB
- List of Nearest Airports to NIB
- Map of Furthest Airports from NIB
- List of Furthest Airports from NIB
- Map of Nearest Airports to BUA
- List of Nearest Airports to BUA
- Map of Furthest Airports from BUA
- List of Furthest Airports from BUA
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Nikolai Airport (NIB), Nikolai, Alaska, United States and Buka Island Airport (BUA), Buka Island, Papua New Guinea would travel a Great Circle distance of 5,420 miles (or 8,723 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Nikolai Airport and Buka Island Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Nikolai Airport and Buka Island Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | NIB / PAFS |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Nikolai, Alaska, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 63°1'6"N by 154°21'29"W |
| Area Served: | Nikolai, Alaska |
| Operator/Owner: | State of Alaska DOT&PF - Central Region |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 441 feet (134 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from NIB |
| More Information: | NIB Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | BUA / AYBK |
| Airport Name: | Buka Island Airport |
| Location: | Buka Island, Papua New Guinea |
| GPS Coordinates: | 5°25'19"S by 154°40'21"E |
| Area Served: | Buka Island, Papua New Guinea |
| Operator/Owner: | Government |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 11 feet (3 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from BUA |
| More Information: | BUA Maps & Info |
Facts about Nikolai Airport (NIB):
- The closest airport to Nikolai Airport (NIB) is McGrath Airport (MCG), which is located 39 miles (63 kilometers) W of NIB.
- Nikolai Airport (NIB) currently has only 1 runway.
- As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 364 passenger boardings in calendar year 2008, a decrease of 21% from the 459 enplanements in 2007.
- In addition to being known as "Nikolai Airport", other names for NIB include "FSP" and "Nikolai".
- Because of Nikolai Airport's relatively low elevation of 441 feet, planes can take off or land at Nikolai Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The furthest airport from Nikolai Airport (NIB) is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), which is located 10,431 miles (16,787 kilometers) away in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Facts about Buka Island Airport (BUA):
- The furthest airport from Buka Island Airport (BUA) is São Filipe Airport (SFL), which is located 11,781 miles (18,959 kilometers) away in Fogo, Cape Verde.
- On 13 May 1943 Allied reconnaissance observed 36 fighters and 6 bombers at the airstrip.
- It is located at the southern end of the island, near Buka Passage behind the town of Buka, and pre-war Chinatown.
- Buka Island Airport (BUA) currently has only 1 runway.
- The closest airport to Buka Island Airport (BUA) is Nissan Island Airport (IIS), which is located 71 miles (114 kilometers) NNW of BUA.
- Because of Buka Island Airport's relatively low elevation of 11 feet, planes can take off or land at Buka Island Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- In 2004, the airport experienced some closures due to land disputes.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 39.45 miles (63.48 km) W | McGrath Airport (MCG) | McGrath, Alaska, United States |     |
| 2 | 42.70 miles (68.72 km) NE | Telida Airport (TLF) | Telida, Alaska, United States | |
| 3 | 51.55 miles (82.96 km) W | Tatalina LRRS Airport (TLJ) | Takotna, Alaska, United States | |
| 4 | 52.39 miles (84.32 km) W | Takotna Airport (TCT) | Takotna, Alaska, United States | |
| 5 | 67.34 miles (108.37 km) NW | Bear Creek 3 Airport (BCC) | Bear Creek, Alaska, United States | |
| 6 | 87.31 miles (140.52 km) NE | Minchumina Airport (LMA) | Lake Minchumina, Alaska, United States | |
| 7 | 87.31 miles (140.52 km) NE | Minchumina Airport (MHM) | Minchumina, Alaska, United States | |
| 8 | 110.91 miles (178.50 km) SW | Stony River Airport (SRV) | Stony River, Alaska, United States | |
| 9 | 122.80 miles (197.62 km) NNW | Ruby Airport (RBY) | Ruby, Alaska, United States | |
| 10 | 124.52 miles (200.39 km) SE | Skwentna Airport (SKW) | Skwentna, Alaska, United States | |
| 11 | 128.01 miles (206.01 km) SW | Sleetmute Airport (SLQ) | Sleetmute, Alaska, United States | |
| 12 | 128.04 miles (206.06 km) SW | Red Devil Airport (RDV) | Red Devil, Alaska, United States | |
| 13 | 138.47 miles (222.84 km) SSW | Sparrevohn LRRS Airport (SVW) | Sparrevohn, Alaska, United States | |
| 14 | 142.24 miles (228.91 km) NNW | Edward G. Pitka Sr. Airport (GAL) | Galena, Alaska, United States | |
| 15 | 143.59 miles (231.09 km) ESE | Talkeetna Airport (TKA) | Talkeetna, Alaska, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,430.75 miles (16,786.62 km) S | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| 2 | 10,427.30 miles (16,781.07 km) S | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| 3 | 10,406.66 miles (16,747.85 km) SSE | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| 4 | 10,400.29 miles (16,737.61 km) S | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 5 | 10,362.95 miles (16,677.51 km) S | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 6 | 10,258.17 miles (16,508.89 km) S | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 7 | 10,205.09 miles (16,423.46 km) S | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 8 | 10,143.95 miles (16,325.07 km) S | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 10,141.73 miles (16,321.49 km) S | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 10,140.56 miles (16,319.61 km) S | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 11 | 10,135.35 miles (16,311.23 km) S | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 12 | 10,121.26 miles (16,288.56 km) S | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 13 | 10,116.70 miles (16,281.21 km) S | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 14 | 10,116.08 miles (16,280.21 km) S | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 15 | 10,102.19 miles (16,257.87 km) SSE | Kleinsee Airport (KLZ) | Kleinzee, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 70.73 miles (113.82 km) NNW | Nissan Island Airport (IIS) | Nissan Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 2 | 94.46 miles (152.01 km) SE | Kieta/Aropa Airport (KIE) | Kieta, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 3 | 136.91 miles (220.34 km) SE | Balalae Airport (BAS) | Ballalae, Solomon Islands | |
| 4 | 148.20 miles (238.51 km) SE | Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) | Choiseul Bay, Taro Island, Solomon Islands | |
| 5 | 150.79 miles (242.66 km) SSE | Mono Airport (MNY) | Stirling Island, Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands | |
| 6 | 174.66 miles (281.09 km) WNW | Rabaul Airport (RAB) | Rabaul, Papua New Guinea | |
| 7 | 195.74 miles (315.01 km) NW | Namatanai Airport (ATN) | Namatanai, Papua New Guinea | |
| 8 | 198.38 miles (319.26 km) W | Manguna Airport (MFO) | Manguna, Papua New Guinea | |
| 9 | 216.52 miles (348.46 km) NW | Lihir Island Regional Airport (LNV) | Londolovit, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 10 | 218.28 miles (351.28 km) W | Jacquinot Bay Airport (JAQ) | Jacquinot Bay, Papua New Guinea | |
| 11 | 238.34 miles (383.57 km) SE | Nusatupe Airport (GZO) | Gizo / Nusatupe, Western Province, Solomon Islands | |
| 12 | 239.73 miles (385.81 km) ESE | Kaghau Airport (KGE) | Kagau Island, Solomon Islands | |
| 13 | 268.10 miles (431.47 km) SE | Munda Airport (MUA) | Munda, New Georgia Island, Solomon Islands | |
| 14 | 288.56 miles (464.39 km) SSW | Guasopa Airport (GAZ) | Guasopa, Papua New Guinea | |
| 15 | 293.54 miles (472.41 km) W | Hoskins Airport (HKN) | Hoskins, Papua New Guinea | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,780.59 miles (18,958.98 km) N | São Filipe Airport (SFL) | Fogo, Cape Verde | |
| 2 | 11,768.57 miles (18,939.63 km) N | Praia International Airport (RAI) | Praia, Cape Verde | |
| 3 | 11,768.55 miles (18,939.59 km) N | Mosteiros Airport (MTI) | Mosteiros, Cape Verde | |
| 4 | 11,749.15 miles (18,908.38 km) NNW | Maio Airport (MMO) | Maio, Cape Verde | |
| 5 | 11,678.23 miles (18,794.25 km) NNW | Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC) | Boa Vista, Cape Verde | |
| 6 | 11,678.02 miles (18,793.91 km) NW | Cap Skirring Airport (CSK) | Cap Skirring, Senegal | |
| 7 | 11,671.84 miles (18,783.96 km) WNW | Bubaque Airport (BQE) | Bubaque, Guinea-Bissau | |
| 8 | 11,662.10 miles (18,768.29 km) N | Preguiça Airport (SNE) | São Nicolau, Cape Verde | |
| 9 | 11,648.17 miles (18,745.87 km) N | Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE) | São Vicente, Cape Verde | |
| 10 | 11,647.20 miles (18,744.31 km) NW | Ziguinchor Airport (ZIG) | Ziguinchor, Senegal | |
| 11 | 11,639.22 miles (18,731.47 km) NW | Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) | Bissau, Guinea-Bissau | |
| 12 | 11,638.24 miles (18,729.88 km) NNW | Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) | Sal Island, Cape Verde | |
| 13 | 11,631.66 miles (18,719.29 km) NW | Banjul International Airport (BJL) | Banjul, Gambia | |
| 14 | 11,629.96 miles (18,716.56 km) NE | Governador Carlos Wilson Airport (FEN) | Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil | |
| 15 | 11,622.66 miles (18,704.82 km) N | Agostinho Neto Airport (NTO) | Ponta do Sol, Santo Antão, Cape Verde | |