Progress continues on the SBD 117M Santa Cruz Airfield upgrade, improving aviation infrastructure in Temotu Province.
The SBD 117 million upgrade to the Santa Cruz Airfield in Temotu Province is progressing as planned, with the Solomon Islands Government confirming significant milestones. Funded by the World Bank under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), the project is managed by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited overseeing construction and Egis acting as the supervising consultant.
The first phase of the upgrade, which involves site clearing, topsoil stripping, and base course preparation, is expected to take six to seven months. Work completed to date includes clearing, backfilling, and the preparation of laydown and quarry sites.
A workforce of 37 people, including 15 locals (13 men and 2 women) and 22 international workers, is involved in the project. Materials and equipment required for the upgrade have been transported from Papua New Guinea to Lata, with three barges already arriving and a fourth scheduled to arrive this week. Heavy equipment, including a chip seal spreader, is now operational on-site, and a mobile quarry station has been established to produce materials needed for the sub-base and base course works.
Alwyn Danitofea, Permanent Secretary of MCA, highlighted the importance of the upgrade, noting that the airfield’s remote location—approximately 645 kilometers from Honiara—presents challenges for air operations. He said, “This vital infrastructure project is well aligned with the Solomon Islands’ national development goals.”
The Santa Cruz Airfield upgrade is one of several infrastructure projects under the SIRAP2 initiative. Other ongoing projects include the construction of Noro Road, the building of four new bridges in Malaita, upgrades to Honiara and Munda Airports, and improvements to air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces.
These projects aim to improve connectivity, enhance safety, and support the Solomon Islands’ broader economic development plans, including boosting regional accessibility and facilitating trade and tourism.
Source: Solomon Islands Roads & Aviation Project (SIRAP)
