Location
Located on Canton Island. The airstrip was located at the north-east corner of the island.

Construction
During 1938 and 1939 Pan American Airways laid out and developed the airport, deepened and cleared the lagoon, and initiated flights to New Zealand using Canton as one of the ports of call.

Wartime History
This airfield was an important refueling stop for aircraft being ferried from Hawaii to Australia, via Fiji or Nouméa. Remembered for having only one tree and one runway.

Veteran Ken Barber adds:
"I suspect that B-25 we lost December 5, 1944 is in that lagoon somewhere. As I recall he would have been headed south as I was going in the opposite direction when I saw him buzzing the strip."

US Navy NATS (Naval Air Transport Service) used this airfield as the second port of call on southbound flights frorm Honolulu.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 1, 2009