SOLOMON AIRLINES ADJUSTS PORT VILA FLIGHTS TO ENHANCE REGIONAL AIRLINE CONNECTIVITY

Solomon Airlines is leading a new phase of regional airline co-operation between Pacific Islands carriers, to improve air access and flight connectivity between Pacific nations.

“We are seeing renewed and more comprehensive partnerships with our neighbouring Pacific Islands and other national carriers in our region, and as such we can maximise opportunities together,” said CEO of Solomon Airlines Mr Gus Kraus.

“Regional connectivity is not easy to achieve, and requires longer term commitments, however it is very beneficial for our collective customers and brings operational efficiencies for airlines,” he said.

The national carrier today announced it will adjust departure times on selected services between Port Vila, Nadi, Brisbane and Honiara to streamline travel connections for air travellers between Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea and beyond.

Among changes effective from Saturday 25 March 2023, Solomon Airlines Port Vila services will shift from weekend operations to mid-week departures. The new timings are planned to enable same day connections from Port Vila via Honiara to Port Moresby and onwards to other international destinations.

Honiara to Port Vila flights will depart at the new time of 2.20pm Tuesdays as IE722 arriving in Port Vila 4.20pm. Port Vila to Honiara will depart as IE723 on Wednesdays at 8.15am arriving in Honiara 10.15am.

Adjustments will also be made to the timing of flight IE706 operating between Honiara and Brisbane on Wednesdays and Sundays, to now depart Honiara at 11.15 arriving Brisbane at 1.30pm allowing for improved connectivity via the airline’s Brisbane hub.

Domestic schedules to Honiara on these days will also be adjusted, to ensure connections are maintained to the retimed Honiara to Brisbane services. Services to and from Fiji will also be refined, with the introduction of Saturday direct flights between Honiara and Nadi with flight IE702 departing at 2.20pm, arriving Nadi at 6.15pm.

Nadi to Honiara direct flight IE703 will operate on Sundays departing Nadi at 8.15am arriving Honiara at 10.15am.

“These are all important timing adjustments which will make same day connections much easier for travellers between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, and also via Port Moresby and Nadi onwards to other destinations in Asia and the USA,” Mr Kraus said.

Solomon Airlines is endeavouring to minimise inconvenience to existing passengers during the schedule changeover.

“We understand that any time we make a schedule adjustment, there will be passengers affected and the alternative is not always suitable. We will do our utmost to provide support with date changes or refunds in accordance with our conditions of carriage;” he added.

For further booking assistance, contact Solomon Airlines Reservations on 177 (local Solomon Islands call), (+677) 23506 or (+61) 07 38605883, or email [email protected]