Solomon Airlines to Suspend Sydney Flights

Solomon Airlines has confirmed that it will temporarily suspend its weekly Sydney service with effect from 17 May 2016.

Announcing the news, General Manager Operations & Commercial, Gus Kraus cited economic slowdowns in Australia and the Solomon Islands and the impact this has had on the airline’s passenger loadings ex-Sydney as a leading factor.

Mr Kraus said the situation had been further compounded by the carrier’s absence on the Honiara-Sydney route since 19 February due to its flagship Airbus A320 undergoing planned maintenance in Singapore which had taken longer than expected.

“This decision has not been taken lightly,” Mr Kraus said. “But I do need to stress this is a temporary measure and we are intending to re-enter the market at a later date once we see that market conditions are on the improve. In the interim period we already have plans in place to re-introduce the Sydney service based on seasonal demand.”

The review, Mr Kraus said, would be undertaken by Solomon Airlines and its partners as well as Solomon Islands Department of Tourism and the Visitors Bureau and local stakeholders.

“We will be advising further as soon as our review process has been undertaken,” he said.

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