Solomon Islands Government

The Pacific Aviation Investment Program (PAIP) is funded by the World Bank (WB), participating countries, and other donor partners with the development objective to:

1. improve the safety, security, efficiency, management and environmental sustainability of airports, and
2. improve regional harmonization of aviation safety standards.

As part of the regional PAIP, aimed primarily at improving airport safety and security across the Pacific, the Solomon Island Road and Aviation Project (SIRAP) has been established.

The Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), as part of the Solomon Islands Government’s efforts to upgrade facilities and infrastructure for the country’s hosting of the 2023 Pacific Games, is carrying out maintenance and upgrade work to the Henderson International Airport. The maintenance and upgrade work will include a new international departure terminal and the renovation of the existing passenger terminal building for international and domestic operations as well as new taxiway and lighting for the airport’s apron and an extension to the apron. An extension will also be made to the airport’s existing power house with the inclusion of a new electrical sub-station and improvements will be carried out on the terminal road for the international departure terminal. Additionally, flood protections works will be carried out as part of this project and JICA will be very much involved in the design and supervision of all work carried out under this project.

The Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), as part of Phase 2 of NZ Aid funded provincial airports upgrades and maintenance is carrying out improvements to the recently upgraded Munda International Airport to also qualify for and operate as an Alternate Emergency Airport. These works, co-funded by the New Zealand and Solomon Islands Governments include improvements to the airport’s lighting and air navigation aids, ancillary works to the airport and a new fire station and fire trucks that meet internationally accepted civil aviation requirements and standards.

The Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), as part of Phase 3 of NZ Aid funded provincial airports upgrades and maintenance is carrying out improvements to the Seghe, Suavanao, Lata and Taro airfields. Work for this project will include airfield extensions, the sealing of selected airfield runways, the building of new airfield passenger terminals and the installation of new airfield runway lighting equipment to allow for increased passenger movements in anticipation of an expected growth in Solomon Islands’ tourism sector.