Parasi airfield, which has been closed for the past 7 years, is now set to re-open with its first flight scheduled for the 8th June 2018.
In a signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development in Honiara on Monday 25 September 2017, representatives of the disputing parties of the Parasi airfield land came together and signed agreements with the Commissioner of Lands which paved the way for the re-opening of the airfield.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chairman of the Aviation Task Force, Mr. Moses Virivolomo who is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication & Aviation, thanked the leaders of the disputing parties for their understanding in agreeing to re-open the airfield while waiting for the resolution of their land disputes by the responsible authorities.
Mr. Virivolomo stated that since the closure of the airport, residents of Small Malaita as well as East and West AreÁre who have been using the airfield to travel home have experienced hardships in having to travel by sea all the time.
Mr. Virivolomo added that the re-opening of the airfield is a step in the right direction towards facilitating whatever development aspirations there are, not only for Small Malaita, but also the Malaita Province and Solomon Islands generally.
Mr. Virivolomo thanked the tireless efforts put in by the Aviation Task Force in negotiating the re-opening of the airfield with the disputing parties and called upon the disputing parties of the Manaoba and Lomlom airfields to follow the example set by the disputing parties of the Gwaunaruu airfield and Parasi in allowing the opening of these airfields pending the judicial settlement of their internal disputes.
Mr. Virivolomo assured those present at the signing ceremony that the clearing and cleaning of the Parasi airfield will start immediately and has expressed the hope that Solomon Airlines will commence flights to Parasi before the end of the year.