Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 departs New Zealand full

• Auckland-Honiara repatriation flight brings citizens home

Solomon Airlines’ Flight IE692 successfully departed Auckland International Airport today fully booked, with 144 passengers travelling to Honiara.

With the approval of the Solomon Islands and New Zealand Governments, the repatriation flight was the first Solomon Airlines service from New Zealand in almost 30 years.

The flight departed Auckland International Airport at 4.08pm, landing in Honiara at 7.45pm.

Passengers onboard included Solomon Islands citizens and residents who have now entered Solomon Islands Government approved quarantine accommodation for at least the next 14 days.

The flight complied with the COVID-19 regulations and requirements of the relevant countries. Solomon Airlines crew wore facemasks and gloves for the duration of service and catering was minimal in order to reduce contact between passengers and crew.