Sege Airport

Sege Airport (EGM) is not merely a runway in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but your personal gateway to one of the most amazing corners of the Solomon Islands. Located on New Georgia Island, it serves as the main transport hub for travellers seeking to reach the famous Marovo Lagoon — the world's largest saltwater lagoon, surrounded by a double barrier reef. Landing here is the beginning of an adventure, as turquoise waters and emerald islets stretch out beneath the aircraft's wings.

The main feature of Sege Airport is its authenticity and strategic location. Built during World War II, today it represents a small but vital air harbour. Do not expect huge terminals or duty-free shops here. Instead, you will receive a unique experience of arriving on a tropical island: a quick exit from the plane directly onto the airfield, friendly staff, and the feeling that you have arrived in a true secluded paradise.

The airport's primary advantage is its proximity to numerous dive resorts and eco-lodges in Marovo Lagoon. From here, one can easily reach world-class sites for scuba diving, snorkelling, and exploring the unique Melanesian culture by boat. Sege Airport is the ideal starting point for those seeking not a standard beach holiday, but an unforgettable immersion into wild nature and the distinctive world of Oceania.

Sege Airport (EGM) is a small regional airfield serving New Georgia Island. Due to its size and status, most information and client services are provided not directly by the airport, but by the main air carriers. Here is the primary contact information available for passengers:

• Official Website: Sege Airport does not have a separate official website. Current information on flight schedules and services should be sought on the website of Solomon Airlines, which operates the majority of flights.
• Inquiry Service Phone: There is no direct public phone number for the airport. For information regarding flights, bookings, and other enquiries, it is recommended to contact your airline directly.
• Address: Sege Airport (EGM), Sege, New Georgia Island, Western Province, Solomon Islands.
• Email: There is no specialised email address for general enquiries. Please use the airline's contact details for communication.
• Social Media: The airport does not maintain official pages on social networks.
• Lost Luggage Information: All issues related to lost or damaged luggage are handled by the relevant department of the airline whose services you utilised.
• Passenger Support Contacts: Support for passengers upon arrival or before departure is provided by airline representatives.

Getting to Sege Airport (EGM), located in the picturesque area of Batuna in the Solomon Islands, is a small adventure in itself, reflecting the island character of this place. Given the remoteness and specific nature of the region, familiar urban methods of transport are replaced here by local alternatives.

Transfers and water taxis are the main mode of transport. Most hotels and resorts in this area organise airport meet-and-greet services for their guests. Typically, the transfer includes a short drive by car or minivan to the nearest jetty, followed by a boat journey to your accommodation. If you are travelling independently, you can arrange a trip on a water taxi with local residents. It is extremely important to negotiate the cost of the trip in advance, as fixed fares do not exist. Travel time depends heavily on the location of your hotel, but the transfer from the airstrip to the main Batuna jetty takes just a few minutes.

Standard public transport, such as scheduled buses or trains, is absent in the Sege Airport area. Movement between islands and settlements is carried out primarily by water. Car rental is also not a common service; there are no international rental companies here. In rare cases, one might arrange transport rental with locals, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Regarding parking, the airport does not have a secured car park. People usually leave vehicles in the adjacent area at their own risk.

For convenience, it is recommended to book a transfer in advance through your hotel or guesthouse. Ensure you have a sufficient amount of local currency (Solomon Islands Dollars) to pay for the boat or taxi if the transfer was not included in the accommodation cost. If your flight to Sege is inconvenient, consider flying into larger neighbouring airports, such as Munda Airport (MUA) or Gizo Airport (GZO), from where a longer but scenic boat transfer to the Batuna region can be organised.

Sege Airport (EGM) is a small regional airport serving domestic flights in the Solomon Islands. Its infrastructure is simple and functional, which is characteristic of small airfields providing connections to remote islands.

The airport consists of one small terminal that serves both departing and arriving passengers. There is no separation into multiple buildings or complex walkways. Everything is located within a single compact structure, making navigation extremely simple. The departure and arrival zones are, in essence, different parts of the same hall or simply different entrances/exits of the building.

Inside the terminal, you will find basic amenities: a check-in counter, a small waiting area, and possibly basic restroom facilities. Do not expect Duty-Free shops, restaurants, or business lounges here. The airport layout is intuitive: you enter, check in for your flight, and wait for boarding in the general hall. Since there is only one terminal, there is no need for transfers between them.

Check-in and security procedures at Sege Airport usually proceed very quickly due to the low passenger flow. It is recommended to arrive at the airport approximately 60-90 minutes before departure. This time will be more than sufficient to check in luggage and pass all necessary formalities without haste. The main advice for navigation is not to worry, as it is simply impossible to get lost in such a compact airport.

The history of Sege Airport (EGM) is not just a chronicle of the development of a transport hub, but a fascinating page of military history inextricably linked to the events of World War II in the Solomon Islands. Its emergence was the result of one of the most daring engineering operations in the Pacific theatre of war.

The airfield was built in 1943 by the legendary US Navy construction battalions, known as the "Seabees". The main feature of its creation was strict secrecy: work was carried out literally under the noses of Japanese garrisons located on neighbouring islands. Thanks to incredible efforts and coordinated actions, the airstrip was prepared in record time. On July 1, 1943, just a few weeks after construction began, the first American aircraft landed at Sege airfield.

During the war, the airfield played a key strategic role. It served as a forward airbase for Allied fighters and bombers carrying out strikes on Japanese positions, which made a significant contribution to the liberation of the region. After the cessation of hostilities, its strategic importance diminished, and the airfield was transferred to civil administration, becoming the main air gateway for the city of Batuna and the entire Western Province.

Since then, the airport has undergone several stages of modernisation to meet the requirements of modern civil aviation. Its runway, originally created for military aircraft, today receives turboprop liners operating domestic flights. Thus, Sege Airport remains not only a monument to its heroic history but also a vital transport facility connecting this secluded corner of the world with the capital and promoting tourism development.

Sege Airport (EGM) is a small regional airfield serving domestic flights in the Solomon Islands. The airport infrastructure is very simple and provides only the most basic amenities necessary for departure and arrival. Passengers accustomed to large international hubs should prepare in advance for a minimal set of services.

Restaurants, Shops, and Lounges

There are no restaurants, cafes, or duty-free shops at Sege Airport. Occasionally, a small kiosk may operate selling beverages and light snacks, but one should not rely on this. It is recommended to carry water and food with you, especially if you are travelling with children. Specialised waiting lounges, including VIP areas, are absent; only a general hall with basic seating is available for passengers.

Technical and Financial Services

Access to Wi-Fi on the airport territory is not provided. The number of electrical outlets for charging devices is extremely limited or they may be absent altogether, so it is better to bring a portable power bank. ATMs, bank branches, and currency exchange points are also absent at the airport. All financial transactions should be completed in advance in larger settlements.

Special Services and Facilities

The airport lacks specialised medical points, mother and child rooms, or play areas. Services for passengers with reduced mobility are minimal and require prior coordination with the airline. Staff can provide basic assistance during boarding and disembarking, but there is no special equipment or adapted infrastructure (such as ramps or lifts) here.

Accommodation and Business Services

There are no hotels, conference rooms, or business centres on the airport grounds. The nearest accommodation options, such as lodges and guest houses, are located in the vicinity of Sege. It is recommended to book accommodation and organise transfers in advance.

When planning a trip through Sege Airport (EGM), it is important to understand that this is a very small regional airport serving mainly local flights. Accordingly, the choice of catering establishments here is extremely limited and not comparable to large international aviation hubs.

At Sege Airport, you will not find restaurants, cafes, or bars in the conventional sense. There is no separation into terminals or airside/landside zones with different food outlets. Usually, all infrastructure for passengers is concentrated in one small building. Catering may be represented by a small kiosk or local vendor offering a basic set of snacks and beverages. Such points are generally open only during hours tied to the flight schedule.

The assortment usually includes bottled water, carbonated drinks, crisps, and perhaps some simple local treats, for example, fresh coconuts, bananas, or biscuits. This is an option for a very quick snack, but not for a full meal. Specialised dietary offerings (Halal-certified meals, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) are unavailable, though fresh fruit is naturally suitable for most diets.

Key recommendation for travellers: if you require a full meal or have specific dietary preferences, we strongly advise eating before travelling to the airport or bringing food and beverages with you. Dining opportunities at Sege Airport are very modest and designed only to quench thirst or provide a light snack while waiting for a flight.

Travelling through Sege Airport, which serves the city of Batuna, is an introduction to the relaxed island rhythm of the Solomon Islands. It is a small regional airport, so many procedures here are simpler and faster than in large international hubs. As a rule, arriving at the airport 1–1.5 hours before the departure of a domestic flight will be more than sufficient. Nevertheless, it is always useful to check recommendations with your airline.

Check-in and security control procedures at Sege Airport usually pass without long queues. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is calm. Prepare your documents and boarding pass in advance to speed up the process. Security control is standard, but due to the small flow of passengers, it takes minimum time. Please note that the airport infrastructure is very simple, and familiar shops or cafes may not be available here.

Flights from Sege are often operated on small propeller aircraft. To fully enjoy the journey, choose a window seat — breathtaking views of coral reefs and neighbouring islands open up from the air. Pay special attention to carry-on luggage rules: on small aircraft, they can be significantly stricter than on international flights, both in terms of weight and dimensions. Standard restrictions on liquids (in containers up to 100 ml) and sharp objects also apply.

Sege Airport serves mainly domestic flights, so international customs control is absent here. It is undergone at the first airport of arrival in the country, typically in Honiara. If you have a transfer planned, it is likely not within the airport itself, but will represent a transfer by boat or car to your hotel or the next island. Coordinate the details of such a transfer with the receiving party in advance.

To save money, book flight tickets well in advance, as their quantity is limited. In case of a flight delay, which is possible due to weather conditions, remain calm. Bring a book, a charged power bank for gadgets, and some drinking water. Airline representatives will provide all necessary information, but be prepared for the fact that waiting opportunities in the small terminal may be minimal. The main advice is to treat possible schedule changes as part of the island adventure.