The flag carrier of the Solomon Island, Solomon Airlines has confirmed that it has inked its partnership with Air Vanuatu from Monday the 30th October 2023 to further expand their mutual support. This shows why cooperation between airlines is more crucial than ever before. The two airlines will work together to expand their networks.
Increased flight frequency
Together the airlines will increase Port-Vila to Auckland flight frequency to two Solomon Airlines operated services weekly, expanding Air Vanuatu’s New Zealand schedule to 4 x return services weekly on the Port Vila to Auckland route.
Solomon Airlines will also operate double return weekly flights between Brisbane and Port Villa with seamless connection via Port Villa to New Zealand
This will increase comfort for passengers as these new services are appropriately timed to provide additional weekend departures for Vanuatu-bound holidaygoers originating from Australia.
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Complementing existing services
The current and the popular existing Monday flights operating from Honiara to Port Vila Flight IE722, and Flight NF050 Port Vila to Auckland will also be shuffled to an earlier departure time from Honiara at 9:00 AM respectively.
The shift in the departure time allows more flexibility for passengers flying from both ends.
Acting CEO of Solomon Airlines Mr. Napoleon Padabela said: “Our investment in a second international aircraft has immediately allowed us to significantly expand operations both for Solomon Airlines and our partner Air Vanuatu opening new commercial tourism opportunities for both countries. ”
The acting CEO forwarded: “This is an example of how deepening partnerships between brother airlines in the Pacific can build co-operative regional networks to create economic benefit,” he said.
Crucial cooperation
The size of airlines based in the Pacific is small, where they share similar problems and similar visions. Seeing that the global macroeconomic trends are heading for a stalemate or in some cases a downward spiral, it is no surprise that airlines in the region have to cooperate for the sake of survival and profitability.
With Solomon Air and Air Vanuatu officiating a partnership, it is beneficial for both parties to mitigate risk and achieve to an extent: economic of scale, through various pools of corporations, namely streamlining of operations and intra-marketing and ticketing agreements.
This specific joint venture announcement happens to coincide with the recent appointment of Solomon Airlines as Air Vanuatu’s General Sales Agent in the Solomon Islands.
In light of the recent appointment, Solomon Airline’s Point Cruz Sales Office in Honiara now service customers from both airlines. Highlighting the interdependencies of airlines in the Pacific region.
About Solomon Airlines
The national airline made headlines recently, having received their latest Airbus A320, registered H4-SAL. The carrier currently operates a fleet of 6 aircraft including 2 A320s. Other aircraft within the fleet include the Twin Otter and the Dash 8.
Without the partnership with Air Vanuatu, Solomon Airline’s expansion would not be possible. With its operating base in Honiara, the airline proudly serves its island nation with 6 aircraft driving tourists and locals alike around, to, and from the island.
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