3 components for airport facelift

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

IMPROVING the Honiara International Airport is designed into three components aimed to enhance airport convenience for both International and domestic terminal.

Last week, Chief Representative for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Office in PNG, Mr Takashi Toyama the first component targets the expansion and rehabilitation of buildings and construction of a new international departure terminal building.

The existing international passenger building will be renovated to accommodate domestic passenger terminal and international arrival terminal, he adds.

Toyama said such new arrangements are expected to boost the convenience of passenger between international and domestic terminal and to contribute to the tourism industry.

The second component provides various special equipment and facilities necessary for the improvement of airport operation and safety.

L-R PS for Ministry of Communication and Aviation Mr Moses Virivolomo, Minister
Milner Tozaka second left, Japan Ambassador HE Shigeru Toyama and Mr Takashi
Tayama Chief Representative of JICA, PNG Office

The third component will cover civil work in which the current aprons will be equipped with four spots of international aircrafts and six spots of domestic.

There will also be a new taxiway constructed with current taxiway renovated.

The improved airport has two taxiways and will realise the smoother traffic in the airport in which two taxiways are separately allocated to inbound and outbound aircraft.

Improving the Honiara International Airport Mr Toyama said they expect a drastic reduction in the waiting time of taxiway evacuation.

He said JICA targets early 2019 as the commencement of implementation of the project.

Toyama said they would like to emphasise the importance of Solomon Islands government’s active engagement in the speedy realisation of prerequisite obligation of the government.

He said selection of quarry site and contract for crushed stone production is their concern and disposal of UXO is critical condition for launching the project.

Minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr Milner Tozaka thanked the Government and people of Japan for such as tangible project which will bring another facelift to international gateway to Solomon Islands.

“I wish to reiterate our gratitude to your government for the assistance rendered and please be assured that my government will ensure that this project reaches its completion,” Tozaka said.

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