Richard Butler | Exclusive Report by MICHAEL DORAN of SIMPLYFLYING NEWS | 5TH JULY 2024
- Solomon Airlines resumes flights from Australia to Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu.
- Weekly nonstop flights operate using Airbus A320-200 aircraft, boosting the tourism economy.
- The direct service allows Australian visitors to explore Vanuatu’s attractions, including beaches and blue holes.
When Air Vanuatu spectacularly collapsed in May 2024, locals and tourists in the South Pacific nation were left wondering how they would connect to the outside world or just get home. Since then, fellow Pacific airlines such as Solomon Airlines and Fiji Airways, among others, have stepped up, and that process continued yesterday on the island of Espiritu Santo.
A welcome sight in Espiritu Santo
Yesterday, the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu welcomed another international air connection when Solomon Airlines resumed flights from Australia to the island of Espiritu Santo. The locals were so enthusiastic about seeing the flights return that the Airbus A320 landed to a round of applause from onlookers and the traditional water canon salute.
The passengers received a souvenir flight certificate in Brisbane, and the South Pacific welcome continued after leaving the aircraft in Vanuatu. They were greeted with a musical welcome by a local string band and given a fresh Salusalu (floral lei) and fresh coconuts.
Solomon Airlines (Solomons) has stepped in to operate flight IE726 between Brisbane Airport (BNE) and Santo-Pekoa International Airport (SON) in Vanuatu. Espiritu Santo is located in Vanuatu’s northern islands and is the nation’s largest and one of its most popular international holiday destinations.
The new service operates a weekly 2:50-hour nonstop flight from Brisbane, using one of the two Airbus A320-200s in the Solomons fleet. Solomon Airlines flight IE726 departs on Thursday from Brisbane at 09:00 to arrive in Santo at 12:50. The return flight leaves SON at 13:50, heading for Brisbane via Port Vila. It arrives in Port Vila at 14:35, and after an hour’s stopover, it continues to Brisbane as flight IE718, arriving at 17:40.
Tourism is vital to Vanuatu
Tourism is a major driver of economies throughout the Pacific, and the weekly service reopens an important direct route for passengers and freight between Australia and Vanuatu via the Brisbane gateway. Espiritu Santo is Solomon’s second destination in Vanuatu, with twice-weekly return flights between Brisbane and Port Vila, the nation’s capital.
Highlighting the importance of the Espiritu Santo connection, Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru said the Santo industry and community are buzzing with excitement to greet Aussie travelers and showcase all the incredible experiences the northern region has to offer.
“The re-established connectivity, thanks to Solomon Airlines, provides a welcome boost to the local tourism economy, and will help us to continually see Australian visitor numbers rise as we welcome holidaymakers to our shores in 2024 and beyond.”
She added that the direct service allows visitors to Answer the Call of Vanuatu once again, making it easier than ever for Aussies to explore the wonders of Santo, from the pristine beaches of the Champagne Coast to the sensational blue holes.
Solomons, which is turning 62 this year, is one of the oldest airlines in the Pacific region and has continually shown its commitment to moving people, visitors, friends, seasonal workers and corporate travelers within the region. Beyond connecting Vanuatu to Australia, it also commenced two weekly return flights between the capital of the Solomons, Honiara and Port Vila and Auckland, New Zealand, on June 12, 2024.
