Upgrades to Honiara International Airport Runway Progressing Well

Upgrades to the Honiara International Airport runway under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) are progressing well and will provide new surfacing for the airport runway and runway end safety areas. The works are being implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) and are supported by the World Bank.

MCA have contracted China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) to undertake the works. On 24^th of October 2023 CRCEG successfully conducted a trial at Henderson junction towards the police post of the asphalt concrete that will be used to resurface the runway. In addition to the runway resurfacing, the existing runway ground lighting will also be upgraded with energy-efficient approach lights. As of last week, most of the associated trenching and conduit pipe layout works were complete. All works are expected to be completed by March 2024.

Permanent Secretary of MCA, Moses Virivolomo, said “the upgrades will prolong the life of Solomon Islands main link to the world and will make air travel safer, more efficient, and more reliable for users.”

The upgrades to the Honiara International Airport runway are one part of the SBD1.1 billion Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) and SIRAP2 that are being financed by the World Bank. These projects are being implemented by MCA and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, with the aim to make the country’s airports safer, more efficient, and more climate resilient, while also delivering important upgrades to selected roads and bridges across the country.

Other investments under SIRAP and SIRAP2 include upgrades to Santa Cruz (Lata) Airfield, along with improvements for seven bridges in Malaita, and roads in Noro, Western Province.

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