A Solomon Airlines A320-232 repatriation flight landed in Sydney and then Brisbane yesterday.
Flight IE4710, which also transported cargo, departed Honiara Henderson International Airport at 5:40am, arrived in Sydney at 8:40am, departed an hour and a half later before completing its journey by landing in Brisbane at 11:15am.
Those onboard will be asked to complete their two-week quarantine at a hotel in the city, before continuing any onward journey.
Solomon Airlines chief executive Brett Gebers said, “This was a special flight to support passengers currently in the Solomon Islands who wished to return to their home countries.
“While Solomon Islands’ borders remain closed and inbound passengers are currently not permitted to enter the country in accordance with Solomon Islands government directions, all stakeholders conferred and agreed to operate this outbound flight.”
In addition to special charter repatriations such as this one, Qantas and Virgin Australia are now flying limited international flights to Australia from London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Auckland through a government subsidised deal.
