Solomon Airlines flights between Santo and Port Vila will not be domestic flights

August 24, 2024 7:30 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Charles Hakwa.

Solomon Airlines recently announced the introduction of new flights connecting Santo to Auckland, starting September 16, 2024.

The new Honiara–Santo–Port Vila–Auckland services will operate on Mondays. Flight IE 722 will depart Honiara at 07:15am, arriving in Santo at 08:55am. It will then depart Santo at 09:45am, arriving in Port Vila at 10:30am. The flight will continue as Flight IE 710, departing Port Vila at 11:30am and arriving in Auckland at 03:45pm.

The return leg will depart Auckland on Tuesdays as Flight IE 711 at 08:35am, arriving in Port Vila at 10:50am. It will continue as Flight IE 723, departing Port Vila at 11:50am and arriving in Santo at 12:35pm. The flight will then depart Santo at 01:25pm, arriving in Honiara at 03:05pm.

However, flights between Santo and Port Vila, whether en route to Auckland or returning to Honiara, will be strictly international. Passengers will not be able to use these flights for domestic travel between Port Vila and Santo.

Solomon Airlines Public Relations Representative Heather Jeffrey told the Daily Post that the current Port Vila–Santo flight operates as an international service only. The airline is discussing with stakeholders the potential for carrying domestic passengers between Santo and Port Vila in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister Matai Seremaiah also met with his Solomon Islands counterparts to sign a new MOU, exploring the possibility of Solomon Airlines assisting Vanuatu with domestic air connectivity.

Should Solomon Airlines offer commercial flights between Santo and Port Vila in the future, they would compete with Air Vanuatu, which has begun scheduled charter flights on this route.

Director of Tourism Paul Pio stated in May that more domestic competitors on the Port Vila–Santo route would boost tourism in Santo. He emphasised that improving aviation connectivity and expanding options would benefit the tourism sector and provide competitive rates for travellers.

Cindy Ortiz-Gaston of the Espiritu Santo Tourism Association (ESTA) noted in June that increased competition in the domestic airline industry could benefit both residents and visitors. She highlighted that multiple airlines on the Port Vila–Santo route would offer more options, potentially lower prices, and attract more visitors to the region.

If Solomon Airlines starts transporting domestic passengers between Port Vila and Santo, it would be exercising the 9th Freedom of the Air under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Chicago Convention. This allows a carrier to operate commercially between two destinations outside its home country.

The network-wide schedule adjustments also streamline Solomon Airlines’ Vanuatu operations.

Starting next month, flights will connect three countries to Espiritu Santo. Thursday flights from Brisbane to Santo and Port Vila will depart Brisbane as Flight IE 726 at 09:00am, arriving in Santo at 12:50pm.

The flight will then depart Santo at 01:50pm, arriving in Port Vila at 02:35pm. It will continue as Flight IE 718, departing Port Vila at 03:35pm and arriving in Brisbane at 05:40pm.

Upon announcing the Santo–Auckland route, ESTA Chairman Rayman Leung expressed enthusiasm, stating that Solomon Airlines services will significantly aid efforts to revitalise the local tourism industry.

Leung said ESTA is excited about the new connections from New Zealand and believes Santo is an ideal destination for Kiwi travellers.

The new Santo–Auckland flights will benefit tourists and seasonal workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand, particularly those from Santo and nearby islands.

A seasonal employment agency employee, who wished to remain anonymous, hopes the Department of Labour will recognise the benefits of these flights and use its officers in Santo for pre-departure briefings.

This would help workers from Santo and neighbouring islands avoid the additional costs of travelling to Port Vila and the burden on extended family in the capital while waiting to depart for New Zealand.