Solomon Airlines has given notice to Air Vanuatu to end its long association with the weekly hire of the Boeing B737-800 NG series aircraft with effect from the last service on Tuesday 3rd March 2009.

From Sunday 8th March, the first changes come online with a direct return Brisbane service noted below.

The airline indicated that "we have had to act for several reasons not least of which was a matter of schedule reliability."

"Furthermore," the airline continued, "the congestion surrounding the Tuesday arrival of all three (3) operators from Brisbane meant that someone had to be bold enough to make some changes and Solomon Airlines has done exactly that."

"Our flights to Brisbane will now be operated fully by our Airlines with some subtle changes to cater for better scheduling and the use of prime return times on Sunday as follows:

- Tuesday will now operate as currently scheduled, leaving Brisbane at 0930 (9.30am) and arriving Honiara at 1330 (1.30pm) but then this flight will continue through to Naru and returns to depart Honiara for Brisbane at 2000 (8pm) and arriving at 2215 (10.15pm) into Brisbane.

- The schedule as is current on Friday remains unchanged.

- Sundays will now give a much more productive schedule giving tourists and business people alike a prime time departure from Brisbane as is the case at the moment of 0930 (9.30am) and into Honiara at 1330 (1.30pm) but it will now depart for its return flight leaving Honiara at 1430 (2.30pm) and arriving Brisbane in good time (1645 or 4.45pm) to meet south bound connections and also all major International destined airlines.

"Solomon Airlines remained committed to giving the travelling public the best available service both on the ground in Sales and Reservations, as well as our airport facilities, although limited, and our inflight service where you pay no more," the airline spokesman said.

The airline also indicated that it is reviewing the ability for a dedicated Business Class check-in counter as well as reviving its Belama Club Lounge at the International airport subject to negotiations with Civil Aviation for suitable allocation of Terminal space.


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