BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
THE project for the improvement of Honiara International Airport is progressing well with most work on the international apron now 100 percent completed.
Project manager Takeshi Iwasaki confirmed this during a site visit yesterday organised for Solomon Islands National University Students Civil Engineer students and the media.
Iwasaki said for now the focus of the work is on the international terminal building, which is the new departure terminal and on the existing terminal which will be used as an arrival terminal after its completion.
He told Island Sun they expect to complete the airport project, funded by the Japanese Government at a cost of about $348 million, by early 2023.
Upon its completion it will be handed over to the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, which is the implementing agency.
“The work progress is going really well despite the eight months delay we experienced last year,” Iwasaki said.
He said he is looking forward to the competition of a brand new international terminal.
The consultant for the project is Gyros Corporation and the contractor is Kitano Construction Corporation.
Iwasaki said Kitano Construction has a long history of engagement in the infrastructure development of the Solomon Islands.
“We have had involved in the construction of a great number of major infrastructure projects that you can see around Honiara and in the places like Guadalcanal, Gizo and Malaita.
“Also, aside from the current Airport Project, we are also undertaking the execution of Kukum Phase 2 Road Project under the Japan Grant Aid Project,” he said.
