โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Santa Ana Airport (NNB) serves the island of Santa Ana (Owaraha) in the Makira-Ulawa Province of the Solomon Islands. The terminal is a simple and functional structure that primarily handles domestic flights operated by Solomon Airlines, connecting the island with Kirakira and the capital, Honiara. it is a critical lifeline for the island's population, facilitating the movement of people, mail, and essential supplies.
Inside the terminal, facilities are basic, featuring a small waiting area and administrative support for flight operations. There are no commercial shops or dining options at the airport, so travelers should ensure they have necessary items and water before arriving. The warm hospitality of the Santa Ana residents is immediately apparent, and the airport serves as an essential connection for the island's residents traveling for business, education, and medical services.
Ground transportation from the airport to the various villages on the island is typically managed via local transport or pre-arranged pickup from local guesthouses. The airport's location on the coastal fringe offers travelers spectacular views of the turquoise waters and coral reefs of the Makira-Ulawa province during arrival and departure. It remains a critical infrastructure point for the connectivity and resilience of the Santa Ana community, ensuring that this remote and naturally significant part of the Solomon Islands remains accessible.
๐ Connection Tips
Santa Ana Airport (NNB) should be handled as an outer-island arrival strip, not as a normal airport connection point. Solomon Airlines service is the island's lifeline to Honiara and the wider Solomons, but once the aircraft lands the real trip depends on local hosts, walking, or coastal boat movement rather than any formal airport transport system. That means the useful connection advice is almost entirely about pre-arranging what happens after arrival.
If your destination is a nearby village, you may simply be met on foot or by a local vehicle. If the trip continues along the coast or toward a guesthouse, a banana boat or other local marine transfer may be the real second leg. None of that should be left vague. There is no meaningful taxi network, no public bus system, and almost no terminal infrastructure to support a traveler who lands without a plan.
Use NNB only with host contact, pickup details, and supplies already sorted before departure from Honiara. Bring cash, water, and anything essential, because outer-island facilities are extremely limited and flight timing can move. The airport is important because it connects a remote island community to the rest of the country. That same remoteness is why every successful trip through Santa Ana depends more on local coordination than on anything the airstrip itself can provide.
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 Santa Ana Airport