Mono Airport

Mono Airport sits on the western edge of Mono Island, part of the Solomon Islands' Treasury Islands group. The airstrip runs parallel to the coast, carved from dense tropical vegetation, and handles flights from Honiara several times a week. Mono Island has no road network beyond a few tracks, and the airport is the only reliable link to the outside world for residents of Mono and nearby Stirling Island. The terminal is a single-story building with basic facilities — a waiting area, a counter, and one toilet. This guide covers everything a traveller needs to know.

Getting There

Mono Airport is reachable only by air from Honiara's Henderson International Airport. Solomon Airlines operates flights roughly three times per week, though schedules change frequently and depend on weather. The flight takes about 90 minutes in a small twin-engine aircraft (typically a De Havilland Twin Otter or similar). Bookings must be made through Solomon Airlines' Honiara office or travel agents; online booking is not always reliable. From Honiara, there are no direct roads or ferries to Mono — the airport is essential. Upon arrival, passengers walk from the aircraft to the terminal. There are no taxis or shuttle services at the airport. Travellers should arrange accommodation or pickup in advance, as the airport has no phone or internet for arranging transport on the spot. The nearest settlement, Gizo, is on a neighbouring island and requires a boat transfer from Mono's jetty, about 10 minutes from the airport.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Mono Airport is a small, open-plan building with a corrugated iron roof and concrete floor. On arrival, passengers walk from the aircraft to a covered veranda where luggage is unloaded from the cargo hold onto a trolley. There is no baggage carousel; bags are placed on the veranda for collection. The check-in area consists of a single wooden counter where staff weigh bags and issue boarding passes by hand. Seating is limited to a few plastic chairs. The one confirmed facility is a toilet, a squat-style latrine at the rear of the building, separate from the main waiting area. Electricity runs from a generator, so fans and lights operate only during flight times. The atmosphere is relaxed; staff know most passengers by name. Be prepared for delays — flights often wait for weather to clear or for cargo to be loaded. There is no food or drink for sale, so bring water and snacks. Security is minimal: a visual check of bags by staff before boarding.

Mono Airport and the Region

Mono Island is one of the Solomon Islands' more remote inhabited islands, part of the Treasury Islands group. Its main village, Lofung, sits within walking distance of the airport. The island rises to a central ridge covered in rainforest, with white-sand beaches along the coast. Mono was the site of a significant World War II battle in 1943, when Allied forces landed to dislodge a Japanese garrison. Remnants of the conflict remain: rusting landing craft, abandoned artillery pieces, and overgrown bunkers can still be found in the jungle. The island's culture is Melanesian; residents speak Mono language and practice subsistence farming, fishing, and copra drying. Tourism is minimal but growing slowly — the attraction is utter remoteness. Visitors come for diving (the surrounding reefs are pristine), for WWII history, and for the experience of a place where daily life has changed little in generations. Stirling Island, connected by a narrow causeway, has a larger settlement and a small guesthouse. Arriving at Mono Airport is an event — the whole village often turns out to meet the plane, sell fresh fruit, or simply watch the spectacle. There is no bank, no ATM, no internet café. Cash in Solomon Islands dollars is essential. The airport runway, built by US forces in 1943, still serves its original purpose: connecting a community that would otherwise be cut off for months at a time.

Practical Information

Mono Airport is not open daily. According to operational schedules, flights arrive on specific days and times: Monday at 3 pm, Tuesday at 3 am (unscheduled medical evacuations or cargo), Wednesday at 7 am, and Thursday at 5 am. These times reflect the airport's busiest periods, though “busy” here means a handful of passengers. The airport has no phone number or website; contact Solomon Airlines in Honiara for flight information. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in. Luggage weight limits are strict — typically 16 kg checked and 5 kg carry-on. There is no storage facility; pack light. The most important piece of advice: confirm your flight the day before departure by visiting the Solomon Airlines office in Honiara in person, as phone and email communication to Mono is unreliable. Bring cash, insect repellent, and rain gear — the weather changes fast.