Munda International Airport goes live with Solomon Islands’ Border Management System, strengthening border security
Munda, Western Province, Monday 6 July 2026 – Munda International Airport in Western Province went live with the Solomon Islands Border Management System [BMS] on Friday, 3rd July 2026, becoming the country’s second international airport to process cross-border air passengers electronically.
Immigration Officers at Munda used the BMS for the first time to clear an international flight from Brisbane. On the day, 38 tourists arriving on Solomon Islands Airlines were processed through the new system.
Munda International Airport is designated to serve tourists and other low-risk travellers.
The BMS assessment for Noro International Seaport and Munda International Airport was completed in May 2026 by Solomon Islands Immigration, supported by the Information Communication Technology Service Unit [ICTSU]. Both facilities are now connected to process arriving and departing passengers.
The rollout is part of the ongoing Joint Trilateral Cooperation between the Solomon Islands Government, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, and the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority. Under the Trilateral, the Australian Government provided SBD $18 million in 2024 to develop the Solomon Islands BMS.
The Honiara International Airport was the first to go live with the BMS on 7th July 2025. This year, as the country marks its 48th Independence Anniversary on 7th July 2026, Immigration also marks one year of live BMS operations.
Solomon Islands Immigration is preparing to launch online visa applications and payments. Testing of the e-payment gateway with ANZ Banking Group has been completed successfully.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration expects the e-visa system to go live from 6th to 10th July 2026. The new platform will cover 34 visa categories and sub-classes.
Permanent Secretary, Mr Riley Mesepitu, said the reform will streamline visa services, strengthen border security, and support the Government’s GREAT Coalition vision to protect territorial sovereignty, promote visa integrity, and encourage genuine trade and investment.
Under the Immigration Strategic Plan 2025–2035, priority areas include legislative reform, trade and travel facilitation, organisational capacity building, and stronger multilateral cooperation.
Immigration is prioritising the digitisation of Western Region borders, the Solomon Islands–Papua New Guinea Traditional Border Crossing, and the Eastern Region in Temotu Province to improve national border security.
PRESS RELEASE
