flysolomons

Skip to content

BOOK NOW
International	Domestic
Return	One Way

Depart

Return

Adults

Children
(2-11)

Infants
(<2)

Business Class

ONLY AUD currency allowed

Important Information

The News

Stakeholders work towards seamless solution to Gizo airport closure

Friday, 17 May 2013 10:27 administrator

Solomon Airlines is working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Ministry of Aviation and Communications and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development to reach a transport solution for passengers travelling to Gizo after May 26.

Aviation authorities last week, announced the planned closure of Nusatupe airstrip in Gizo from May 26, for three months, to allow contractors to upgrade Nusatupe into an all weather airstrip.

Gizo is Solomon Airlines’ busiest domestic port and from close of business May 26, all flights to the Western Province will end at Munda.

Solomon Airlines General Manager Operations and Commercial Gus Kraus says stakeholders have been working closely together to ensure that safe and reliable transport is available to take passengers who land in Munda onto Gizo via boat transfers although the airline said that boat transfers are not their prime business but they are still discussing issues with all stakeholders.

“What we want is a seamless transfer of passengers from the plane in Munda and onto the boat for our Gizo passengers. The same applies for passengers coming from Gizo to board the flight at Munda.”

A meeting of stakeholders made up of Solomon Airlines, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, on Tuesday agreed to finalise the details of the boat charter operators.

This followed meetings in Munda, earlier this week between Solomon Airlines, the Tourism Ministry and a number of boat operators, on transporting passengers between Munda and Gizo.

“Our priority is to ensure that the boat service we engage is regular and on time and that the operators we use must have insurance as well as safety equipment. We also want a back-up engine in case of a breakdown if at all possible.”

Kraus reiterated that all passengers who have prepaid tickets to travel to Gizo after May 26 will be taken care of by Solomon Airlines. Those who pay for tickets after the schedule was changed to only terminate in Munda from May 26 will have to make their own arrangement with boat operators to travel between Munda and Gizo.

“This situation affects not only Solomon Airlines’ passengers but the tourism industry as well which will impact on the national economy. I’m glad to see discussions being on-going to come up with a solution that will not inconvenience passengers and tourists alike.”

“This is not the passengers’ or the tourists’ problem. It’s a problem that all the stakeholders need to come together to resolve.”

Kraus thanked the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Aviation and Communication Ministry and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development for their commitment and corporation to work together to finding a solution.

He further added that the upgrade of Nusatupe would ensure that from August, flights would no longer be subject to weather delays or a potentially unsafe runway.

Last Updated ( Friday, 17 May 2013 10:29 )

Gizo flights suspended due to Nusatupe upgrade

Monday, 13 May 2013 13:31 administrator

Solomon Airlines has announced the suspension of flights to Gizo from May 26 to August 21 due to the upgrading of the Nusatupe airstrip.

Solomon Airlines has been advised by aviation authorities that Nusatupe will be closed from May 27 to allow ground work to start on making Nusatupe an all weather airstrip.

As a result, all Solomon Airline flights to the Western Province will end at Munda.

“Although the closure of Nusatupe will have a major impact on Airline business with Gizo being our busiest route, the upgrade will have long term benefits for the travelling public and the tourism industry,” said Solomon Airlines, General Manager, Commercial and Operations, Gus Kraus.

“The tar sealing of the airstrip will mean that from August onwards, flights to Gizo will no longer be subject to weather delays or a potentially unsafe runway,” he added.

Upon advice of the airstrip’s closure by the Ministry of Communication and Civil Aviation via the contractors, Downers, Solomon Airline has stopped issuing tickets to travel to and from Gizo after May 26.

For passengers who have already paid for tickets to Gizo, Solomon Airlines will provide boat transfers with arrangements via suitable operator to/from Munda. The same service will be available for passengers in Gizo with existing tickets to fly to Honiara.

“For passengers wanting to travel to Gizo after May 26, they will have to organize in advance, their own water transport details from our last point of disembarkation, which is Munda. We are sure there will be operators prepared to take customers at a reasonable fee to and from Gizo to Munda.

“All tourism operators have been informed of the situation including the Ministry and SIVB and there are still discussions on the best way forward to ensure minimised disruptions to all Airline clients. New schedules have been developed and for passengers travelling to Choisul/Taro, as well as Ballalae and Kagau, all these flights will be routed via Munda.”

The Gizo upgrade follows infrastructure work on the Munda airfield and is the latest in the government’s upgrading of aviation infrastructure around the country.

Last Updated ( Monday, 13 May 2013 13:35 )

Airworks to service Solomon Airlines' international flights

Monday, 18 March 2013 13:28 administrator

Solomon Airlines has announced that it is leasing a 737-400 aircraft from Airworks of New Zealand to service its international routes which started on Sunday 17^th March, 2013

The lease will last until the end of March while Solomon Airlines’ Airbus A320 undergoes additional maintenance work in the Philippines.

Solomon Airlines General Manager Operations and Commercial, Gus Kraus says the arrangement will ease disruptions in flight schedules faced by international passengers in recent weeks.

“The lease will normalise the airlines international flight schedule and we can renew it should the maintenance work on the Airbus take even longer as we must abide by these maintenance planning issues and ensure we have a clean Airbus on its return to our operation. This added period is mainly trying to source additional parts and ensuring compliance with all the directives from Airbus”

Over the past two weeks, Solomon Airlines has relied on partner airlines Our Airlines (Air Nauru) and Air Vanuatu to provide international support flights after an agreement with Alliance Airlines fell through due to regulatory issues with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia.

“Although costly for Solomon Airlines, this arrangement with Airworks is necessary so that we can continue to provide service to our passengers and the public at large.”

Solomon Airlines also advised that its Dash 8 aircraft, which was unserviceable from Sunday 10^th March, 2013 whilst waiting for parts from overseas, had commenced flying again on Friday 15^th March, 2013 and is currently maintaining its scheduled operation.

“I would like to thank our passengers for their understanding continued support as well as their patience through this trying time,” said Kraus.

Last Updated ( Monday, 18 March 2013 13:31 )