Solomon Airlines will restart scheduled flights to Lata from this Saturday 12 November following welcome confirmation that Santa Cruz-Lata Airport is back in business after urgent runway repairs.
In the interests of safety, the national carrier had no option but to cease all flights to Lata from 24 August due to the deteriorating condition of the runway. As a result, Lomlom flights were also affected.
“We are very pleased that work to restore the Lata runway has been completed quickly, which means that we can now return flights, earlier than envisaged,” said CEO of Solomon Airlines Mr Gus Kraus.
“This is the type of efficiency we need to deliver safe and optimal air services to our communities,” he added. The restored runway now has capability to handle Solomon Airlines largest Dash 8 domestic aircraft as well as the airline’s Twin Otters.
“We have now scheduled both aircraft to Lata and are able to provide additional seating capacity and cargo space in time for the Festive season,” Mr Kraus said.
Commencing from this Saturday 12th November, Solomon Airlines Dash-8 will operate direct flights between Honiara and Santa Cruz every Saturday.
Tuesday flights will remain on the Twin Otter until 01DEC where both services will be served on the Dash8. On Saturdays, Flight IE 818 will depart Honiara at 9.00am landing in Santa Cruz at 1.45pm. The return service Flight IE 819 will depart Santa Cruz at 11.15am arriving in Honiara at 1.00pm.On Tuesdays, Flight IE318 will depart Honiara at 7.00am arriving in Santa Cruz at 9:40am. The return service Flight IE319 will depart Santa Cruz at 10:00am arriving in Honiara at 12:40pm.
Commencing from 1 December, further capacity will be added to the route, with Tuesday services being upgraded to the Dash-8 and flights on Thursday being operated by Twin Otter aircraft via Lomlom.
To book or for more information, visit www.flysolomons.com or contact Solomon Airlines Reservations teams in Honiara on 177 (local call) or by emailing 177@flysolomons.com.sb or in Brisbane (+61) 07 38605883 or by emailing reservations@flysolomons.com