16th August 2012
Solomon Airlines today gave notice that with effect 3rd September, the airline will RECOMMENCE scheduled services to AUKI (AKS) and JAJAO (JJA).
The recommencement of services to Auki has come about after successful negotiations between the government and the land owning parties of Gwaunaru’u airport. Solomon Airlines was advised last week by the Civil Aviation Department through a NOTAM, declaring that Auki airport is open for normal airline operations.
Auki is the business centre of Malaita Province and the closure of the airstrip has caused much inconvenience to business and the travelling public. Solomon Airlines is pleased to be recommencing operations to Auki again, starting with three (3) scheduled flights per week, services being operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on an Islander aircraft. Solomon airlines advise that daily loadings will be monitored to ascertain traffic demand and if the need arises we certainly have the ability to increase capacity by upgrading to a larger aircraft size. Going forward, we will continue to monitor Traffic demand and supply capacity to suit demand accordingly.
The public are also reminded that there is no airline office in Auki and the new agents are Auki Lodge with the airline’s affairs being managed by ex airline employee Peter Aetee. For reservations and tickets, the public are asked to contact the airlines direct Toll Free line 177 or our agents in Auki, the Auki Lodge.
Solomon Airlines is also pleased to announce the resumption of services to Jajao (JJA) in Isabel Province. The airline stopped services to Jajao some years ago due to very low traffic demand. However, with much increased economic activities now happening on the ground, the airline has had to respond to the increase in demand for air services by recommencing services to Jajao. As with Auki, the airline will monitor daily demands and respond with the most cost efficient service, either by increasing capacity or by combining flights with either Fera or Suavanao. Scheduled services will start with twice weekly dedicated flights on the Islander aircraft also from 3rd September.
Solomon Airlines looks forward to serving the people of these two airports/Provinces into the future.
