Land Claim Closes Lomlom Airport, Solomon Airlines Pauses Flights

Solomon Airlines has suspended flights to Lomlom (LLM) on the Reef Island due an ongoing land dispute connected to the airport's western extension.

The once-weekly DHC-8-100 flight from Honiara (HIR) will be replaced with a DHC-6-300 flight on the same day (Thursday) to Lata (Santa Cruz) (SCZ), some 70 kilometres southwest over open water.

"We understand the importance of our services to Lomlom and are making every effort to address this issue in a timely and respectful manner," reads the airline's March 18, 2025, statement. "Further discussions with the concerned parties are expected to take place following their scheduled legal proceedings."

Lomlom Airport has been the subject of land claims from traditional owners since the 1970s, which have previously temporarily closed the airport. Over the years, the Solomon Islands Government has paid millions of dollars in rental fees and compensation to traditional landowners, but many claim to have received nothing.

Lomlom Airport is an important economic and medical link between Honiara and the Reef Islands. Without Solomon Airlines' services, islanders must travel via speedboat to Latu, which can be dangerous in adverse weather.