SOLOMON Airlines is expected to resume its weekly service to Kagau in North East Choiseul today after the airport was temporarily closed few weeks ago.
Initial reports said the airport, which is situated on a privately owned island, was temporarily closed some time ago due to a theft incident.
Because of the incident, it was reported that the owner decided to issue a stop notice for all flights operated by Solomon Airlines into Kagau.
Solomon Airlines complied with the order and subsequently ceased flying for few weeks.
The temporary closure had affected candidates, voters and supporters, given the peak traveling period in preparation for the National General Election.
The airport is located within the constituency of Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and he is also affected by the situation.
Sogavare recently travelled to his constituency onboard the Police Patrol Boat.
Those who travelled to North East Choiseul during the flight suspension had to travel by ship or catch a flight to Gizo before hopping on an outboard motor to the constituency.
Some were forced to catch a flight to Taro and travel onward by outboard to North East Choiseul Constituency.
However, the good news is that Solomon Airlines had indicated that it will resume service to Kagau today and its flight for today is scheduled for 2pm.
One of the officers who is familiar with the latest advisory said, “the airport is opening up again. So, the first flight is tomorrow (Friday) at 2pm.”
This comes as a positive news for the traveling public ahead of next Wednesday’s poll.
The people of Wagina Island also depend on the airport for their air travels because traveling by sea is often risky during bad weather.
Early this week, a voter also lost his life after the outboard motor he travelled aboard was caught in rough seas and sunk along the coast of North East Choiseul.
By MOFFAT MAMU
