Solomon Airlines

This shows why cooperation between airlines is more crucial than ever before. The two airlines will work together to expand their networks. 

Together the airlines will increase Port-Vila to Auckland flight frequency to two Solomon Airlines operated services weekly, expanding Air Vanuatu’s New Zealand schedule to 4 x return services weekly on the Port Vila to Auckland route.

Solomon Airlines will also operate double return weekly flights between Brisbane and Port Villa with seamless connection via Port Villa to New Zealand 

Their airlines do the same, as evidenced by last week's cooperation between Solomon Airlines and Air Vanuatu.

On April 26th, Solomon Airlines confirmed its latest cooperation with a close neighbor, Air Vanuatu, establishing a new wet lease arrangement. The wet lease agreement will see Solomon Airlines operating a third frequency between Port Vila, Vanuatu and Auckland, New Zealand, for Air Vanuatu.

Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Gus Kraus has confirmed that a Havilland Twin Otter aircraft and operating crew will assist Vanuatu’s recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclones Judy and Kevin earlier this month.

The 19-seater Twin Otter and flight crew will join Air Vanuatu’s fleet for an initial two months, to provide much needed operational capacity as the airline strives to restore vital domestic operations.

More than 300 people are expected on board two Solomon Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

This was announced by the Prime Minister's secretary Jimmy Rodgers on Sunday, during a weekly update provided by the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.

Dr Rodgers said most of the people being repatriated were Solomon Islanders who had been stranded in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu because of Covid-19 border restrictions.

There will be some returning expatriates onboard the flights as well, he said.

This was announced by the airline's management after a meeting with the national government.

Solomon Airlines' chief executive, Brett Gerbers, said he was encouraged by the Pacific's success in managing the Covid-19 pandemic so far.

However he said the airline would continue to take advice from the government on the necessary precautions regarding international border restrictions.

Mr Gerbers said all domestic flights had resumed and the airline was on standby to provide repatriation and cargo flights, subject to government approval.

The codeshare, which comes into effect on September 30th 2017 will see both airlines place their respective ‘FJ’ and ‘IE’ codes on each other’s flights between Nadi and Honiara.

Guests of Solomon Airlines can expect convenient travel and transfer onto Fiji Airways’ network through its Nadi hub to North America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

The Solomon Star Newspaper reports that flights between Atoifi Airport on Malaita and the capital Honiara have been suspended since New Year's Eve.

A spokesperson for Solomon Airlines said this is because of safety concerns for operations into Atoifi.

The spokesperson said the airline apologises to customers for any inconvenience caused by the suspension but added that safety was paramount to its operations.

Photo: Supplied Solomon Airlines