Aur Island Airport

Aur Island Airport sits on a narrow coral strip at the southern edge of Aur Atoll in the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. It is classified as unserviced, meaning it has no scheduled commercial flights and operates only on demand—typically for charter aircraft, government missions, or medical evacuations. The airport serves a community of roughly 500 people spread across Aur’s several islets, who rely on boats and the occasional aircraft for connection to Majuro, 115 kilometres to the southeast. With a single runway of compacted coral and a basic terminal building, it is not a place to expect conveniences; it is a functional link in one of the world’s most geographically dispersed nations.

Getting There

Reaching Aur Island Airport requires planning and flexibility. No scheduled air services exist, so the most common approach is by boat from Majuro, the capital located on Majuro Atoll. The journey takes between 8 and 12 hours depending on the vessel, weather, and tides. Passenger boats (often called "fieldtrip ships" in Marshallese) depart Majuro irregularly, usually once or twice a week, and stop at several outer atolls including Aur. Tickets are purchased through the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation or local boat operators; expect to pay around 50 to 80 US dollars one way. Alternatively, charter flights can be arranged through Air Marshall Islands or regional operators like Island Hopper Air Service. A single-engine Cessna 208 Grand Caravan is typical, seating nine passengers plus cargo. The flight from Majuro’s Amata Kabua International Airport to Aur takes about 40 minutes. Charter costs vary wildly—expect $1,000 to $2,000 total for a one-way trip, depending on fuel and availability. Private yachts also stop at Aur, but the island lacks a permanent dock for large vessels; passengers must transfer via dinghy to the shoreline. Once on Aur Island, the airport is a short walk from the main village; no taxis or rental cars exist—only footpaths or bicycle tracks.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Aur Island Airport is a single-room building constructed from concrete blocks with a corrugated metal roof, measuring perhaps 10 by 15 metres. It provides basic shelter from sun and rain: a few plastic chairs, a counter for check-in (unstaffed unless a flight is expected), and a manual scale for weighing baggage. There are no air-conditioning, no restrooms, no water fountains, and no electrical outlets for charging devices. Security is minimal—what you carry onto the airstrip is your own responsibility. On arrival, passengers walk from the aircraft across the apron—a compacted coral surface—directly into the terminal or out to the road. Departure involves checking in with the pilot or a local agent who appears shortly before the flight. Luggage is weighed; allowance is typically 20 kilograms per person on charter flights, but cargo space dominates. The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried; the only sounds are wind, birds, and the occasional outboard motor from the lagoon. Expect no food, drinks, or shops. The busiest times are oddly specific, likely tied to the infrequent boat schedule or medical evacuation needs: Monday 5 pm, Tuesday 7 am, Wednesday 1 am, and Thursday 7 pm. If you are at the terminal outside these windows, you will likely be alone.

Aur Island Airport (Unserviced) and the Region

Aur Atoll is one of the Marshall Islands’ 29 atolls, a ring of small islets surrounding a central lagoon. Its total land area is about 5.6 square kilometres, spread over more than 20 individual motu (islets), with the main village on Aur Island itself. The population lives mostly on subsistence fishing, copra (dried coconut) production, and small-scale agriculture—breadfruit, pandanus, taro. Traditional Marshallese culture remains strong: outrigger canoe navigation, weaving of pandanus mats, and the practice of bwebwenato (storytelling) are still common. The atoll was part of the German Protectorate of the Marshall Islands until World War I, then under Japanese mandate until World War II, when US forces took control. Today it forms part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a sovereign nation in free association with the United States. Visitors come to Aur for its remoteness and raw beauty: deserted white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoon waters excellent for snorkelling, and a sense of isolation rare in the modern world. The lagoon is rich with fish—tuna, trevally, snapper—and healthy coral gardens. Birdlife includes frigatebirds, boobies, and the endangered Micronesian pigeon. On nearby Iroij Island, a small airstrip remnant from the Japanese era can still be seen. There are no hotels; accommodation is offered by families on a homestay basis—ask at the local council office or arrange through the Majuro-based Aur Atoll Association. The closest bank, hospital, and supermarket are in Majuro, so visitors should bring all cash, medications, and supplies. Aur’s appeal lies precisely in what it lacks: crowds, infrastructure, and schedules. It is a place for those comfortable with unpredictability and willing to embrace a pace of life measured by tides rather than clocks.

Practical Information

Aur Island Airport is not open every day. Based on the busiest times—Monday 5 pm, Tuesday 7 am, Wednesday 1 am, and Thursday 7 pm—the facility is likely only active for specific arrivals or departures on those days. No official website or phone number exists for the airport itself. For information, contact the Aur Atoll Local Government Council in Majuro (phone +692-625-7724) or Air Marshall Islands’ charter desk (+692-247-5170). The runway is 1,200 metres long and unpaved; only small aircraft such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter, Cessna 208, or similar can land. Daytime operations only—no lighting exists for night flights. The terminal has no amenities, so bring all food, water, and personal hygiene items. If you need to use a restroom, the nearest facilities are at the village health centre, a ten-minute walk east. Mobile phone coverage is limited to NTA (Marshall Islands) and only on the main island; data speeds are slow. Cash is essential—the nearest ATM is 115 kilometres away. One concrete piece of advice: coordinate your arrival and departure with the boat schedule, because once the fieldtrip ship leaves Aur, the next connection to Majuro might be a week away. If you fly in, ensure the charter flight can also take you out on your desired date—there are no backup options.