Solomon Airlines Resumes Flights to Auki

Solomon Airlines has resumed flights to Auki.

Malaita constitutes one of the largest of the Solomon Islands nine provinces, and its capital city, Auki, has a population of close on 9,000 people.

The province is known as a ‘cultural jewel’, famed for its traditional production of the highly prized ‘Shell Money’ which still exists as an alternative form of currency and plays a key role in traditional wedding dowry payments.

The Malaitan people are also known for their Pan Pipe orchestras and their ability to ‘call’ sharks.

General Manager Operations & Commercial, Gus Kraus, said, “We see this as a huge opportunity to open up the province to the benefits of tourism so it goes without saying we are very excited with this long-awaited development.”

Mr Kraus said he was hopeful the airline would be able to employ its Dash 8 aircraft on the route in the not too distant future.

“More work is required on the runway before we can start flying the Dash 8 into Auki,” he said. “But we are hopeful following recent discussions with the Malaita Provincial Government, we will see this further opportunity bearing fruit in the near future.”

The airline will fly from Honiara on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using a combination of its Twin Otter and Islander aircraft on the route.

Flights between Honiara and Auki take just 30 minutes.

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