Choiseul Bay Airport

Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) is not just a runway, but an aerial gateway to one of the most pristine corners of the Solomon Islands. Located on Choiseul Island, it serves as a starting point for travellers seeking seclusion amidst wild nature, authentic Melanesian culture, and incredible underwater adventures. Landing here, you immediately feel that you have left the hustle and bustle of big cities behind, with a true immersion into a tropical paradise awaiting you.

The main feature of Choiseul Bay Airport is its simplicity and compactness. It is a small airfield with a single runway that exclusively serves domestic flights, connecting the island with other parts of the archipelago. There are no terminals typical of major airports, duty-free shops, or numerous cafes here. Instead, a quick and informal boarding and disembarking procedure awaits you, allowing you to save time and set off to explore the island almost immediately after landing.

The airport's primary advantage is its strategic location. It is a key transport hub for locals and the few tourists who visit, providing access to remote villages, eco-tourism sites, diving spots, and bird-watching locations. Arriving at Choiseul Bay is an adventure in itself, offering the sensation of a genuine journey far off the beaten tourist track.

Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) is a small regional airfield serving domestic flights. Consequently, most contacts and services are provided through the main airline rather than the airport itself. Below is the primary available information.

• Official Airport Website: Currently, the airport does not have a separate official website. The most up-to-date information regarding schedules and flights is best checked on the website of Solomon Airlines, which operates flights here.
• Information Service Phone: A direct telephone number for the airport is not published. For all inquiries, it is recommended to contact the carrier's call centre.
• Airport Address: Choiseul Bay, Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands (Choiseul Bay, Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands).
• Email: There is no dedicated email address for general inquiries.
• Airport Social Media: The airport does not maintain official pages on social networks.
• Lost Luggage Information: All matters related to lost or damaged luggage are handled by the airline. Please contact a representative of your carrier upon arrival.
• Passenger Support Contacts: Passenger support, including assistance for people with reduced mobility, is provided by the airline upon prior request.

Getting to Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) in the town of Choiseul Bay is not difficult, but it is worth remembering the peculiarities of the transport system in the Solomon Islands. Due to the remoteness and specific nature of the island, there are no buses or trains familiar to tourists here. Planning your trip to and from the airport is a key moment for a comfortable journey.

The most reliable and common way to get to the airport is a private transfer or local taxi. Typically, these are not official taxi services but private vehicles whose drivers provide transport services. It is highly recommended to agree on the trip and its cost in advance to avoid misunderstandings. It is best to book a transfer through your hotel, guest house, or a local tour operator. They will help organise a car for the required time.

Theoretically, you can use local transport, such as passing trucks or boats, if you are travelling from a neighbouring village by water. However, this option is unpredictable in terms of time and is not suitable if you are rushing for a flight. Such methods of movement should be considered more as part of the local colour rather than a reliable transfer to the airport.

Car rental in the traditional sense is practically non-existent on Choiseul Island. It may be possible to arrange vehicle rental from locals, but this requires personal contacts and prior organisation. Regarding parking, the airport has a small area where a car or motorcycle can be left. Given the modest traffic, problems with parking spaces usually do not arise.

Since the settlement of Taro, where the airport is located, is very compact, a trip from any point within it takes just a few minutes. If you are staying in one of the nearby guest houses, you can even walk to the terminal. The cost of a car trip will be low, but it is always subject to negotiation. Be sure to carry cash for payment.

If your itinerary includes moving between islands, it is worth knowing that there are other small airports in the region. Alternative arrival points can be the airports in Ballalae (about 64 km), Kagau (148 km), or larger hubs such as Gizo Airport (162 km) and Munda Airport (203 km), from where you can reach Choiseul via local airlines or by water.

Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) is a small regional airfield serving mainly local flights. Its infrastructure is simple and functional, which is typical for air harbours on remote islands. Travellers should not expect a complex terminal system here like in major international airports.

The airport structure includes one passenger terminal. This is a compact building that combines all zones and services. There is no separation into domestic and international terminals, as the airport focuses on serving domestic flights within the Solomon Islands. All navigation is intuitive: a single building houses the check-in area, a small waiting room, and the baggage claim point upon arrival.

Departure and arrival zones are located within the same space. After checking in for a flight, passengers proceed to a common waiting area, from where they are invited to board. Upon arrival, passengers also enter this building to collect their luggage. Thanks to the very compact layout, transitions between zones take literally a few steps, and it is practically impossible to get lost here.

Check-in and security procedures at Choiseul Bay airport are significantly faster than in large hubs. However, given the nature of local aviation, it is recommended to arrive at the airport in advance — approximately an hour to an hour and a half before departure. This time will be sufficient to complete all formalities without rushing and wait for your flight. The main navigation tip is simply to follow the staff's instructions; everything is located in one small and understandable space.

The history of Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) is a vivid example of how past military facilities transform into vital civilian infrastructure. Its story begins during the Second World War, when in 1943, US Navy engineering battalions (the famous "Seabees") built an airstrip here. The airfield served as a strategic base for fighters, providing air cover for Allied operations in the region, particularly during the landings on Bougainville Island.

After the war ended, the military need for the airfield disappeared. However, for the isolated island and the town of Choiseul Bay, it acquired a new, peaceful significance. The former military strip was converted into a civilian airport, becoming a key transport hub for the entire province. This was not so much a phase of massive expansion as a repurposing of the facility for the needs of the local population, connecting it with the rest of the Solomon Islands.

Over the past decades, the airport has not undergone global reconstructions characteristic of major international hubs. Its development has focused on maintaining functionality to receive small turboprop aircraft operating domestic flights. The main interesting fact of its history lies in this transformation: from a temporary military facility, it has turned into a permanent and indispensable lifeline that ensures the delivery of passengers, mail, and essential goods to one of the most remote corners of the country.

Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) is a small regional airport serving the island of the same name within the Solomon Islands. It represents a basic air terminal designed for domestic flights. Given its size and remoteness, the range of passenger services here is very limited. Travellers are advised to prepare for their trip in advance and not to count on amenities typical of large airports.

In the terminal building, you will find only the essentials: check-in counters and a small waiting room. There are no restaurants, cafes, or shops here. Sometimes locals may sell drinks or light snacks near the airport, but it is more reliable to have everything you need with you. Specialised lounges or VIP areas are absent.

Services such as public Wi-Fi, charging stations for electronic devices, banks, currency exchange points, and ATMs are not provided at Choiseul Bay Airport. It is recommended to charge all your gadgets in advance and carry a sufficient amount of local currency in cash. Business centre services and conference rooms are also unavailable.

Passengers with children and travellers with reduced mobility should contact their airline in advance to clarify the possibility of assistance during boarding and disembarking. Specialised infrastructure, such as mother and child rooms or equipped restrooms, may be absent. There are no hotels directly on the airport territory; accommodation options need to be sought in nearby settlements and booked well in advance.

When planning a trip through Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY), it is important to consider that this is a very small regional airfield with basic infrastructure. Dining options here are extremely limited and not comparable to those offered by major international airports.

The terminal building typically lacks full-service restaurants, cafes, or dining lounges. All infrastructure is concentrated in one small terminal. Food for passengers is usually presented in the form of a small kiosk or stall run by local vendors, which may only operate during hours coinciding with flight schedules.

The assortment at such sales points usually includes basic goods: bottled water, carbonated drinks, packaged snacks (crisps, biscuits), and possibly local fruits or simple pastries. Finding specialised dishes, including vegetarian, gluten-free, or Halal options, is practically impossible here. There are no options for a full lunch or dinner at the airport.

Recommendation for travellers: We strongly advise eating before travelling to the airport or bringing a sufficient amount of drinking water and snacks with you. Relying on the ability to buy food immediately before departure from Choiseul Bay is not recommended.

Travelling through Choiseul Bay Airport (CHY) is an introduction to aviation in its simplest and most authentic form. This small regional airport serves domestic flights in the Solomon Islands and is the gateway to the picturesque Choiseul Province. To ensure your trip from Choiseul Bay goes smoothly, here are a few tips adapted to the specifics of the local air hub.

Arrival at the airport and check-in. Choiseul Bay Airport is not a huge international hub, so there is no need to arrive 3 hours before departure. Being on-site 60-90 minutes before departure is sufficient. The check-in process usually proceeds quickly at a single counter. Security procedures here are minimal compared to large airports, but this does not negate the need to follow staff instructions.

Baggage and hand luggage. On domestic flights operated by small aircraft, there are strict weight restrictions for both checked baggage and hand luggage. Be sure to check the baggage allowance with your airline (usually Solomon Airlines) before travelling and pack your belongings as compactly as possible. Exceeding the limit may result in your luggage not being accepted on board.

Seat selection and flight. Flights are usually operated on propeller aircraft, where breathtaking views of the islands and ocean open up from any window. If there is an option to choose, take a window seat. Flying at such low altitudes is a scenic adventure in itself.

Infrastructure and flight delays. Be prepared for the fact that there is practically no infrastructure at the airport: no shops or cafes. Take water and a light snack with you. Flight schedules in the Solomon Islands depend heavily on weather conditions, so delays or cancellations are not uncommon. Maintain flexibility in your plans, keep a book or a charged power bank with you, and stay in touch with the airline representative for up-to-date information.

Customs and transfers. Choiseul Bay Airport serves exclusively domestic flights, so there is no customs or passport control here. All international transfers are carried out through the country's main airport in Honiara (HIR). If you have a connecting flight planned, allow sufficient time between flights in Honiara, taking possible delays into account.