iscover
Solomon Airlines is set to launch its own service between Brisbane and Santo, in northern Vanuatu.
Starting 4 July, the weekly flights will operate non-stop from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo on Thursdays, returning the same day via Port Vila on a similar schedule to the former Air Vanuatu route, which Solomon Airlines had operated on behalf of the now-grounded Vanuatuan flag carrier.
The original Brisbane-Santo route, operating under Air Vanuatu codes, launched in June last year, making Brisbane the only international connection from Santo’s airport. The Vanuatu Tourism Office has welcomed the return of services from Santo to Brisbane.
“The news of greater connectivity to Vanuatu, thanks to Solomon Airlines, will be widely celebrated by the tourism industry here in Vanuatu, especially our industry partners in Santo,” said Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru.
“The direct weekly service to Santo from Brisbane is a welcome development in re-establishing our aviation connectivity. We have always had a strong partnership with Solomon Airlines and are thrilled to continue working with them.”
The Brisbane-Santo route will make Solomon one of two airlines to operate direct flights between Australia and Vanuatu when it launches, alongside Virgin Australia, which is expanding its Brisbane-Port Vila services in the wake of Air Vanuatu’s collapse.
Qantas and Jetstar are also launching their own flights to Port Vila from Brisbane and Sydney respectively, with Qantas 737-800 services to fly three times per week from September and Jetstar A321neo LR services to fly four times per week from December.
Air Vanuatu, a codeshare partner of Qantas, entered voluntary liquidation last month, with liquidator Ernst & Young estimating it owed at least US$66 million (around $99 million) but said it hopes to resume services.
The liquidator has axed 170 of the airline’s 441 staff, saying it is looking to “right-size the company’s cost base” as it proceeds with an expressions of interest campaign and is currently in discussions to resume “critical routes” in the short term to minimise disruption.
Ernst & Young indicated this month that non-binding offers are on the table for Air Vanuatu, which is currently undergoing restructuring with the aim of returning it to the skies.
