The national carrier, Solomon Airlines, will operate a repatriation flight for eligible citizens and travelers from Fiji.
The Solomon Airlines flight will depart Brisbane at 9.00am as flight IE605 on 26th October 2021, arriving in Nadi at 2.35pm. It will then depart Nadi as flight IE606 at 3.35pm arriving in Honiara at 5.35pm.
A same-day return service will depart Honiara for Brisbane at 6.35pm arriving at 8.20pm.
As this is a Solomon Islands Government managed flight, Solomon Airlines is advising all interested passengers to contact the Solomon Islands High Commission in Suva, or their nearest Solomon Islands embassy or consulate.
Fiji has recently eased Covid-19 restrictions after 80 percent of the adult population received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. On November 11th 2021, Fiji will also be re-opening its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from ‘travel partner’ countries, which includes Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
Other countries that made it as a ‘travel partner' are Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Qatar, Germany, Spain, France, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Switzerland.
“We welcome the news from Fiji that they will begin receiving international visitors from selected countries including Solomon Islands and Pacific countries within weeks,” said Colin Sigimanu, Manager Commercial for Solomon Airlines.
“After nearly two years of closed international borders, it is a positive sign, made possible by the high level of vaccination within the Fijian population and with the co-operation of other travel ready countries,” he said.
“Throughout the pandemic, Solomon Airlines has remained ready and prepared to reintroduce more regular international services pending the further easing of Solomon Islands and other border restrictions,” he said.
“At this time, we are not able to publish a schedule, however we are ready to do so at very short notice, depending on how the travel restrictions evolve. Travellers from travel-partner countries including Solomon Islands, after showing proof of vaccination and testing negative for COVID-19 virus 72 hours before their departure,” he added.
“They will also be required to spend three days in a single hotel accommodation in Fiji, and following a negative COVID-19 test result, will be allowed to travel further into Fijian communities. Travellers from countries that are not yet designated travel-safe partners, must be fully vaccinated and will complete a 10-day stay in a quarantine centre upon arrival in Fiji, before a negative COVID-19 test result will be required to clear them to enter the community.”
All travellers must also fulfill any obligations based on individual home country requirements. It is understood approval from Cabinet is still pending, as required under established protocols.
With Solomon Airlines