Virgin Blue's sister airline, Pacific Blue, is to launch direct flights between Brisbane and the Solomon Islands (Honiara) from 2 December 2008.

The airline is also adding three extra seasonal flights each week between Wellington and Brisbane.

As part of an ongoing expansion plan Pacific Blue will fly direct between Brisbane and the Solomon Islands twice a week with convenient connections available from Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne.

To celebrate the new destination Pacific Blue would be offering a special Brisbane - Honiara launch fare of SBD$1,472 one way, on sale until midnight 10 October or until sold out for travel from 2 December until 31 March 2009. Regular lead-in fares will start from SBD$2,200 one way on the internet.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, "This is the third brand new international destination we've announced in as many weeks and it's exciting, particularly in this current climate, to be able to continue our expansion into new territories."

In addition to a brand new destination the airline will also boost services between Brisbane and Wellington from 1 December 2008, in time for the busy Christmas travel period, increasing the seasonal frequency on this route from five to eight flights a week.

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