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
Atoifi Airport (ATD), also known as Uru Harbour Airport, is a regional aviation facility located on the eastern coast of Malaita Island in the Solomon Islands. The airport features a minimalist infrastructure centered around a 1,968-foot grass runway that is maintained by the nearby Atoifi Adventist Hospital. It primarily serves as a critical transportation hub for medical staff, patients, and essential supplies, connecting this remote part of Malaita with the national capital, Honiara.
There is no conventional terminal building at Atoifi; instead, the facility consists of an open-air waiting area and a small administrative hut for the airfield management. Passengers and visitors typically gather under the shade of nearby trees or in a small, unsheltered spot near the runway edge during flight operations. The environment is highly informal and reflective of the remote island setting, with no automated baggage handling, security checkpoints, or official check-in counters as found in larger commercial airports.
Facilities at the airstrip are extremely limited, with no restrooms, retail boutiques, or dining options available on-site. Maintenance and security are managed locally, and the airfield's usability is highly dependent on localized weather conditions. Despite its lack of modern amenities, the airport is a vital lifeline for the local community and the hospital, providing a much faster and more reliable alternative to the long and often difficult sea voyages around the island of Malaita.
๐ Connection Tips
Atoifi Airport (ATD) serves as a specialized domestic gateway for eastern Malaita. For travelers, 'connecting' at ATD is a unique experience that requires a flexible itinerary. The facility only handles domestic regional flights, predominantly operated by Solomon Airlines twice weekly. If your plans involve an international hub like Brisbane, you will first need to travel to Honiara International Airport (HIR). It is highly recommended to allow at least 24 hours between your regional arrival and an international departure, as flights in the Solomon Islands are frequently subject to weather-related cancellations.
Ground transportation from the airstrip is primarily managed through pre-arranged private pickups or hospital-coordinated vehicles. While a small number of local taxis may meet announced arrivals, they are not on permanent standby. It is essential to coordinate with your host or the Atoifi Adventist Hospital in advance, as cellular coverage at the airfield can be intermittent. For those heading to nearby coastal settlements, boat transfers from Uru Harbour are a common and scenic connection method, though these should also be arranged with local operators ahead of time.
Travelers should arrive fully self-sufficient, as there are no shops or ATMs available on-site. Please ensure that all your onward travel arrangements, including ground transport to your final destination, are confirmed well in advance. Our research indicates that regional transit in this area is highly weather-dependent and requires travelers to remain flexible with their schedules. Always confirm your flight status 24 hours prior to departure, carry your essential medications and critical documents in your hand baggage, and maintain open lines of communication with your local hosts or transport providers. By treating this airport segment as the foundation of your regional travel plan rather than the conclusion of your flight, you will find that it is a highly reliable gateway, provided you account for the unique pace of local transport and the seasonal variability of the local environment, which can often be unpredictable due to sudden meteorological shifts or technical logistics.
Ensure you have sufficient Solomon Islands Dollars (SBD) in cash for all local expenses, as credit card acceptance is non-existent. For departures, aim to arrive 60 minutes prior to takeoff to assist with manual baggage weighing. Always maintain contact with Solomon Airlines for real-time schedule updates, as heavy rain can rapidly render the grass runway unusable. For missed connections, travelers must typically contact the airline's main office in Honiara, as on-site support is limited to basic logistical coordination.
โ Back to Choiseul Bay Airport