Solomon Airlines has announced an expansion of services between the Solomon Islands and Australia from October, following the arrival of the airline’s second international aircraft last month.
Its latest A320 is fitted with modern interiors in blue, grey and white tones and all-leather seats across two classes.
The 12 business class seats are in a 2-2 configuration. They are 21 inches wide, can recline up to 10 inches, and feature a pitch of 40 inches.
The 138 economy class seats are in a 3-3 configuration. These are 17 inches wide, recline up to 3 inches, and offer a generous 33-inch pitch.
Commencing 2 October, the Solomon Islands national carrier will increase flight frequency between Brisbane and capital Honiara to five flights weekly “with departure times adjusted to suit increasing demand from leisure travellers”.
Solomon Airlines will also reinstate nonstop service between Brisbane and Munda in the western region of the Solomons, with new domestic connections to other leisure destinations including Gizo, Seghe and Suavanao.
Construction of the SBD$60 million Munda international airport is due for completion by the end of September under the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP).
Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, Solomon Airlines launched direct flights from Brisbane to Munda.
“The timing is very important. Our decision to invest in additional aircraft capacity now for Solomon Airlines, ahead of the Pacific Games in the short term and combined with our country’s improving aviation infrastructure will bring lasting economic benefit to Solomon Islands and beyond,” said Solomon Airlines CEO, Gus Kraus.
Now in its 60th year of operations, Solomon Airlines has two Airbus A320s, and it also operates a fleet of smaller turboprops.
The carrier also flies to other Pacific Island destinations, including in New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Kiribati.
