Stranded in the Solomon Islands, domestic flights cancelled

[Quickstatus]

China comes to mind.

The Govt's Aid to the Solomons is decided with China on its mind

Projected aid $100M for 2026-2027

 

[Melburnian1]

The Govt's Aid to the Solomons will be decided with China on its mind

You may have forgotten my post 'upthread' if that's the correct terminology.

I said Australia had reached a new agreement with Solomons in July 2026. Development aid continues, and as @clifford opined , it's certainly being provided with an eye on China.

 

[Quickstatus]

You may have forgotten my post 'upthread' if that's the correct terminology.

No, have not. After your post I've checked the aid details - link above about the 2026-2027 Aid

I've edited the post from "will be" to "is" in because I remembered your post

I note that the aid will partly address transportation but I think the aviation sector needs a lot of urgent support.

 

[AuSammy]

 

[Tiki]

The plane left Honiara within a reasonable time. It was halfway here. Then it turned around and went back to Honiara with “mechanical problems “. It’s now 09:30 here. The window to send a plane closes by noon due to clouds and wind. I’m getting desperate. My husband is running out of Metformin for diabetes. We are almost out of Bushman 80%deet. I bought mosquito coils and giving him the deet because I am overall healthier. But we are desperate to get out of here.

 

[Tiki]

I called Solomon Airlines operator and begged them to send a charter helicopter to at least rescue vulnerable passengers stranded here. @drron what can we do in this situation? Should he try to stretch the Metformin taking every second day? Or cut them in half? He has 3 more pills. Also a variety of other meds to control blood pressure, cholesterol, gout. I normally don’t bring him on long haul trips I do alone. But I thought we were safe because Solomons are only 3 hours flight from Brisbane and meant to be a 12 day holiday.

 

[Tiki]

There is a truck headed to this island presumably by cargo ship. Can anyone find out the details and see if we can go back to Honiara on that truck?

https://share.google/YhmevwtVpLgrh4wtz

 

[drron]

Every second day for the metformin as you don’t want to lose a tablet if the halving goes wrong.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There is a truck headed to this island presumably by cargo ship. Can anyone find out the details and see if we can go back to Honiara on that truck?

https://share.google/YhmevwtVpLgrh4wtz

On the boat I’m guessing you mean? Well it’s worth a shot? Maybe see if you can get in contact with someone from the port to see if they have any advice.

 

[nancypants]

I looked on Marine Traffic and there’s nothing anywhere near Rennell. Hard to know what might be heading there but I’ll try and keep an eye on it. Yachty type groups anyone?

ETA sorry Rennell is the one below the crosshairs

 

[Tiki]

I looked on Marine Traffic and there’s nothing anywhere near Rennell. Hard to know what might be heading there but I’ll try and keep an eye on it. Yachty type groups anyone?

ETA sorry Rennell is the one below the crosshairs
View attachment 518435

What’s the link for that website? I called Solomon Ports, no ships scheduled for Rennell. How is that truck getting here .

 

[nancypants]

It’s an app but apparently there is a website version

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-12.0/centery:25.0/zoom:4

If it’s anything like getting freight to where I am, it will have been handed over but won’t actually be shipped until the next planned boat run ie I wouldn’t be holding out much hope of a special trip

 

[jrfsp]

The RAAF has the Alenia C-27J (a smaller version of the hercules?) - up to 60 troops or 11,000 kg. Requires runway of 1640 feet. Can be unpaved/rough surface.

Looks like there’s a couple flying around the Islands as we speak

 

[Tiki]

Tigoa/Rennell Airport (RNL/AGGR).


Tigoa runway

• Runway: 12/30
• Length: 672 metres (2,206 ft)
• Width: 20 metres (66 ft)
• Surface: Coral, with some sources describing it as grass/coral
• Lighting: No runway lighting
• Elevation: about 168 m / 550 ft
• Orientation: approximately 120° / 300°, so essentially an east-southeast/west-northwest runway.

** From ChatGPT

 

[mel-world]

There seems to be 3 RAAF aircraft over Rennell at the moment. A pity they are not landing.

 

[markis10]

Looks like there’s a couple flying around the Islands as we speak

Must of been used for the deputy PM visit, I was told they had been grounded!

 

[Tiki]

We are still at the airport charging my power bank. The guesthouse only puts the generator maybe 3-4 hours a day. Sometimes they have solar but they use it sparingly.

 

[Flyfrequently]

We are still at the airport charging my power bank. The guesthouse only puts the generator maybe 3-4 hours a day. Sometimes they have solar but they use it sparingly.

I feel for you in this stressful situation @Tiki and appreciate your updates.
Have Tick or HC come up with anything to assist?

 

[Tiki]

Automatically rebooked for tomorrow flight 07:15am. I wish I could believe it. I don’t know at what point to contact Tick. They already told me to save my receipts and submit a claim within 30 days. There isn’t currently a medical emergency. Only the potential if the planes keep getting cancelled and meds run out. Or if we get malaria or dengue. Bushman 80% almost finished. I soaked our birding clothes in mozzie repellent from Tentworld. We can buy mozzie coils here.

 

[drron]

Probably try the High Commission again and tell them 3 RAAF planes are in the Solomons