โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Nana Airport (NAZ), also known as Star Harbour Airport, is a small regional airstrip serving the community of Star Harbour on the eastern tip of San Cristobal (Makira) island in the Solomon Islands. The terminal is a basic, open-air structure that perfectly reflects the remote and tropical nature of the region. It primarily handles domestic flights from the capital, Honiara, operated by Solomon Airlines, providing an essential link for both the local community and visitors to this isolated part of the archipelago.
Facilities at the airport are minimal, with a simple sheltered area for passengers to wait for their flights. There are no commercial shops or dining options on-site, so travelers should be fully self-sufficient with food, water, and other essentials. The airstrip is surrounded by the lush tropical forests and coastal landscapes of Makira, making it a scenic and unique point of arrival for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path island experience.
Ground transportation from the airport to nearby villages and community centers is almost exclusively by local transport or by boat, which is a primary mode of travel in this island-dotted region. The airport is a vital link for the local community, offering a convenient and scenic alternative to longer sea voyages from the capital. Arriving at Nana offers an immediate immersion into the pristine and tranquil beauty of the eastern Solomon Islands, ensuring that this remote part of the country remains connected to essential services.
๐ Connection Tips
Nana Airport (NAZ) at Star Harbour represents one of the most remote aviation connections in the Solomon Islands, serving the eastern tip of Makira (San Cristobal) island with highly weather-dependent services. Ground and water transportation must be carefully coordinated before arrival, as Star Harbour offers no taxi services or vehicle rentals at the basic airstrip facility. The airstrip's grass surface becomes unusable when saturated by heavy tropical rains, leading to immediate cancellations that can extend for days during the wet season (November through April).
Solomon Airlines operates Twin Otter DHC-6 aircraft to this grass airstrip, but flights are cancelled very frequently - scheduled departures actually operating on time are the exception rather than the rule, making this destination unsuitable for travelers with tight international connections through Honiara. Most onward travel involves outboard motor boats, which take 45-60 minutes to reach various coastal villages and the famous surf breaks like Bola's near Tawarogha village to the northwest. Travelers must maintain complete flexibility with their schedules and should never plan same-day connections back to international flights from Honiara.
The 45-minute flight from Henderson International Airport (HIR) in Honiara is spectacular when weather permits, offering aerial views of countless pristine islands and coral reefs. These boat transfers are entirely weather-dependent and should be pre-arranged through local guesthouses or community contacts, as spontaneous transportation is virtually non-existent in this remote region where mobile phone coverage is extremely limited or absent. Essential supplies including water, non-perishable food, basic medications, and cash in Solomon Islands dollars must be carried, as Star Harbour has minimal commercial facilities and no banking services whatsoever.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Afutara Aerodrome (AFT/AGAF) operates as a small community airstrip on Malaita Island in the Solomon Islands, positioned at just 23 feet above sea level near the village of Afutara. The single runway 6/24 measures 1,501 feet in length, specifically designed to accommodate Solomon Airlines' DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft that provide scheduled domestic connections to Honiara International Airport and other provincial destinations across the archipelago.
Infrastructure at Afutara reflects the basic operational requirements of remote island aviation in the Solomon Islands. The airstrip operates without conventional terminal buildings, instead utilizing simple community-maintained shelters that provide essential weather protection for passengers and basic cargo handling. All flight operations are coordinated directly between Solomon Airlines crew and local community representatives, maintaining the personal service characteristic of outer island aviation throughout the Pacific.
Passenger amenities are limited to essential weather shelter and basic seating areas, as operations focus on transportation rather than commercial services. No retail facilities, dining options, or modern check-in systems exist at the aerodrome. Travelers must arrive completely prepared with food, water, and any required supplies for their journey. Ground transportation depends entirely on pre-arranged community connections, typically involving local trucks or boats for onward travel to surrounding villages, as Afutara lacks commercial taxi services or vehicle rental facilities.
๐ Connection Tips
Afutara Aerodrome should be planned as a remote island airstrip rather than a normal connection airport. Travel through AFT depends on Solomon Airlines domestic operations from Honiara and on local weather, runway condition, and aircraft availability. Solomon Airlines has repeatedly emphasized that safety equipment and weather volatility can disrupt service at smaller Solomon Islands aerodromes, so passengers should assume that timing can move even when the route is operating.
That means reconfirmation is essential. If you are connecting from an international arrival into Honiara, do not build a tight same-day chain unless the airline or your travel organizer has specifically confirmed it. Remote Solomon Islands sectors can be delayed or reshuffled, and when a flight does not operate, the fallback is often waiting for the next available movement rather than choosing from several later departures. Carry medicines, chargers, and any critical documents in your hand luggage for exactly that reason.
Ground logistics at the Afutara end also need advance work. There is no big terminal, no broad transport market, and no guarantee of on-demand vehicles or boats when you land. Your host, project contact, or accommodation should know your arrival details before you leave Honiara. For most travelers, the safest connection strategy is to treat Honiara as the stable hub, leave margin on both sides of the domestic sector, and keep expectations aligned with a lightly served provincial airstrip rather than a fully resourced airport.
โ Back to Nana Airport