โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY), also known by its ICAO code AGGC, is a vital regional aviation facility located on Taro Island, the administrative capital of Choiseul Province in the Solomon Islands. Situated on a small coral island just off the northwest coast of the larger Choiseul Island, the airport acts as a critical lifeline for the provincial government and the local community. The airfield is a unique geographical feature, with the runway and terminal facilities occupying a significant portion of the entire island's land area.
The airport operates through a single, compact passenger terminal building that manages domestic island traffic. Facilities within the terminal are extremely basic, reflecting its role as a remote provincial outpost. Inside, travelers will find a simple check-in area and a sheltered waiting lounge that provides relief from the tropical sun. The facility's straightforward layout ensures that passengers can quickly transition from the terminal to the aircraft apron. The airfield consists of a well-maintained unpaved grass runway that is optimized for the regional turboprop aircraft, such as the de Havilland Canada Twin Otter and Dash 8, which are the mainstays of Solomon Islands aviation.
Commercial services at CHY are exclusively provided by the national carrier, Solomon Airlines. Regular scheduled flights connect Taro Island with the national capital, Honiara (HIR), and the regional hub of Gizo (GZO) on Nusatupe Island. These flights are essential for the movement of government personnel, medical supplies, and local produce, as well as for the small but growing number of eco-tourists visiting the remote western Solomon Islands. Ground transportation on Taro Island is primarily conducted via small boats and walking tracks, as the island is small enough to navigate by foot. The airport's presence is fundamental to the integration of Choiseul Province into the national economy, ensuring that this distant community remains connected to the rest of the archipelago.
๐ Connection Tips
Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) is a remote Solomon Islands airport where the right connection strategy is to protect Honiara and treat Taro as the final domestic island arrival. Solomon Airlines' own current check-in guidance still says domestic counters open 90 minutes before departure and close 30 minutes before departure, which is useful because it reminds you how limited and process-sensitive domestic island flying can be. If your trip connects to an international departure from Honiara, an overnight or at least a very conservative buffer remains the safer approach.
The airport's unusual setting on Taro Island makes the local side interesting, but it does not make the connection more flexible. The issue is not navigation. It is weather, limited frequencies, and the lack of good recovery options if the domestic leg slips. That is the normal pattern in the Solomons, and Choiseul is no exception.
On arrival, the next movement may involve a boat, vehicle, or local pickup depending on where you are actually headed in Choiseul Province. That handoff should already be arranged before you travel. CHY works best when you think like an island traveler: protect the international itinerary at Honiara, obey the domestic check-in discipline, and treat the Taro leg as the final local movement rather than the part of the trip that has to carry a high-stakes same-day connection.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Gwaunaru'u Airport (AKS) is the primary aviation gateway to Malaita Island, the most populous island in the Solomon Islands. Located approximately one nautical mile southwest of the provincial capital of Auki, the airport serves as a critical link connecting the central and northern districts of Malaita with the national capital, Honiara. The airfield features a short, well-maintained runway that is exclusively served by Solomon Airlines, which operates regular domestic flights using DHC-6 Twin Otter and De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft, providing essential transport for local residents, government officials, and a growing number of adventure travelers.
The terminal at Gwaunaru'u is a minimalist and practical structure that reflects the relaxed and authentic spirit of the Solomon Islands. It consists of a simple, open-air building that provides essential shade and a basic waiting area for passengers. While the facility lacks the commercial luxuries of international hubsโsuch as retail malls, restaurants, or ATMsโit offers a professional environment where travelers are often greeted by the friendly local community. The layout is exceptionally user-friendly, with the runway located just a few dozen meters from the terminal entrance, ensuring a rapid transition for passengers and cargo between the aircraft and the local transport network.
Operational activity at AKS is closely integrated with the unique cultural and geographic profile of Malaita. The airport acts as the starting point for exploring the stunning Langa Langa Lagoon, famous for its man-made islands and traditional shell money production. The terminal area offers arriving passengers an immediate introduction to the rugged beauty of the island, where the lack of traditional airport bustle highlights the region's geographic isolation and cultural preservation. For visitors, the airport represents more than just a transit point; it is the essential threshold to a region defined by its vibrant markets, traditional panpipe music, and the longest remote road network in the archipelago.
๐ Connection Tips
Auki Gwaunaru'u Airport (AKS) is a classic Solomon Islands domestic connection point where the real hub is Honiara, not the provincial airport itself. Solomon Airlines' current guidance says domestic check-in opens 90 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before departure, which is worth following closely because there are fewer recovery options on island routes if you miss the flight. If your trip begins or ends on an international ticket, build the protective margin in Honiara rather than assuming the domestic segment will line up tightly on the same day.
That is especially important in the Solomon Islands, where weather, aircraft rotation, and network disruptions can all affect inter-island schedules. Auki is an important Malaita gateway, but it is not an airport where you should assume multiple same-day alternatives will be available if service moves late. If you are safeguarding an international departure from Honiara, many travelers will be better served by an overnight buffer in the capital.
Ground transport at AKS is simple but local. The airport is close to Auki, and onward travel is usually by pre-arranged pickup, taxi, or local vehicle rather than by formal airport shuttle. If you are going beyond Auki town to villages, mission stations, or coastal communities, make sure the person meeting you understands your flight details and any baggage constraints.
AKS works well when you treat the domestic flight as one part of a larger island logistics chain: check in early, keep the Honiara connection generous, and confirm the final road transfer before boarding. In the Solomons, the smoothest trips are the ones planned around limited capacity and weather reality, not optimistic timing.
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