Balalae Airport (BAS)

Balalae Airport is a small civil airstrip serving Balalae Island and the surrounding Shortland Islands in Western Province, Solomon Islands. Built in 1942 as a Japanese military airfield, the airport retains a simple 1.75 km sandy coral runway that lies only about 5 feet above sea level.

The airport is operated by Solomon Airlines and used mainly by small turboprop aircraft, including the DHC-6 Twin Otter, providing domestic connections to Gizo and Munda and onward links to Honiara. Flights operate under visual flight rules and can be affected by tropical weather and high tides.

There is no conventional terminal; a basic open-sided shelter is used for check-in, waiting and baggage handling. Passenger facilities are minimal, with no restaurants, shops or ATMs, so travellers are advised to bring provisions and cash.

Because the island has no roads or public transport, onward travel is made by pre-arranged boat to settlements on Shortland and Fauro Islands. Despite its remote setting, the airstrip remains a vital transport link for local communities in the western Solomon Islands.