Ontong Java Atoll Airstrip

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons and environmental degradation. A consistent lack of funding for maintenance led to the severe deterioration of the unpaved coral runway. The surface became too rough and unsafe for aircraft landings. This was exacerbated by the natural challenges of its location on a low-lying atoll, including coastal erosion and the impacts of sea-level rise, which further damaged the integrity of the airstrip.

The site of the former airstrip on Keila island, near the main settlement of Luaniua, is completely derelict. Satellite imagery shows the faint outline of the runway, but it is heavily overgrown with vegetation and eroded. It is entirely unusable for any form of aviation. The land is not known to have any other formal use, though it may be traversed by locals on foot.

The Ontong Java Atoll Airstrip, also known as Luaniua Airstrip, was a critical lifeline for the extremely remote Polynesian community of Ontong Java. When active, it was the only rapid transportation link to the rest of the Solomon Islands. Operations were typically handled by Solomon Airlines using Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the Britten-Norman Islander or De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. The airstrip was vital for medical evacuations, transporting essential supplies like medicine and food, facilitating government and administrative travel, and connecting the isolated population to the capital, Honiara. Its operation significantly reduced the community's reliance on infrequent and often perilous sea journeys. Note: The ICAO code 'SB-0001' is a non-standard, internal, or outdated identifier; the airstrip does not have an official ICAO code.

The rehabilitation and reopening of the Ontong Java airstrip is a frequently stated priority for the Solomon Islands Government and the Malaita Provincial Government due to the extreme isolation of the community. Over the years, numerous political promises have been made and technical assessments conducted. The project is consistently included in national infrastructure plans. However, due to significant funding requirements, logistical challenges associated with its remote location, and shifting government priorities, no definitive action has been taken. While the prospect of reopening is often discussed and remains a high-priority goal, there is currently no confirmed budget, construction schedule, or timeline for its completion.