The management of airports in the Solomon Islands is the purview of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation’s (MCA) Airport Management Division. However, in carrying out this broad function the Division liaises with other Divisions of the Ministry including the Corporate Services, Aviation Security, Air Traffic Management and Technical Services Divisions to carry out specific functions and duties that have cross-cutting roles.
The Division also works with the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI) to ensure compliance with Civil Aviation Rules and international ICAO Standards and with other relevant authorities such as the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) as well as the Customs and Excise, Immigration and Biosecurity Divisions of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to ensure compliance with local laws and with international safety, security and facility standards.
The specific functions carried out by the Airport Management Division in managing airports are:
This includes improvement to and the maintenance of runways, taxi ways and aprons including airport facilities.
At the technical level, this function is carried out together with the Air Traffic Management, Aviation Security and Technical Services Divisions while procurements are handled by the Corporate Services’ Finance and Accounts Unit through direct procurements or through tenders and the issuing of contracts. CAASI plays a regulatory role in this function to ensure that all improvements and maintenance comply with the relevant Civil Aviation Rules and ICAO Standards.