SOLOMON AIRLINES RETURNS TO VANUATU
Vanuatu Welkam Back Solomon Airlines
Media Release - Port Vila, 5 August 2022: The Vanuatu Tourism Office welcomes the return of Solomon Airlines, after over two years of temporary suspension of commercial services between Honiara and Port-Vila, as result of border restrictions due to Covid-19.
Solomon Airlines resume its first service today [02 August 2022], landing at midday in Port-Vila.
“Seeing Solomon Airlines returning to our shores, adds another smile to our travelers. More international flights mean more options for our visitors to answer the call of Vanuatu and take an adventure to experience the many islands and its uniqueness that we have.” Says Adela Issachar Aru, Chief Executive Officer of the Vanuatu Tourism Office.
“Now that our borders have reopened [on 01 July 2022], we look forward to additional international airlines to start coming back to Vanuatu. Aviation connectivity has been a key driver to our booming tourism industry prior to COVID-19, and we have established strong partnerships with our aviation stakeholders. Now it’s time to reconnect! We will continue to work to ensure that our access to the international markets, via our airline partners, is optimized in the long-term, whether it be for tourism, trade export and import purposes”. She continued.
Solomon Airlines will offer two classes onboard its Airbus A320 aircraft H4-SIB, including all leather, midnight blue seating comprising 12 Business Class seats in a 2 x 2 seat configuration and 132 Economy Class seats in a 3 x 3 seat layout.
“Solomon Airlines is a longstanding partner to Airports Vanuatu Ltd, and we are glad that the national carrier of the Solomon Islands has re-introduced Vanuatu into its regional network. On behalf of the AVL team, we congratulate CEO Brett Gebers and his team at Solomon Airlines for working with our national civil aviation authority, ensuring operational safety compliance are in place.” Says Jason Rakau, Chief Executive Officer at Airports Vanuatu Ltd.
Brett Gebers, Chief Executive Officer at Solomon Airlines added “We are delighted to return to Vanuatu and have been planning this flight ahead of Vanuatu announcing its border reopening on 01 July 2022. In addition to being a Melanesian brother,Vanuatu is an important trade partner to the Solomon Islands and we are committed to providing a reliable connection between the two nations and the rest of the world.”
The airline offers a weekly service to Vanuatu on Tuesdays, departing Honiara at 10:45am, arriving in Port-Vila at 12:45pm, prior to pursuing its triangular service to Fiji, departing at 1:30pm and landing in Nadi (Fiji) at 4:05pm. The aircraft then leaves Nadi at 5:05pm, back to Honiara at 7:05pm.
From October 2022, Solomon Airlines will move to direct services between Honiara and Port Vila in both directions, departing Honiara on Tuesday at 2:20pm, arriving Port Vila 4:20pm, with the return on Wednesday, departing Port Vila 11:30am, arriving 1:20pm.
For more information, please visit www.flysolomons.com
