Solomon Airlines has concluded a series of proving flights to neighboring Melanesian countries.
The first of the series was flown on Friday to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.On Saturday, a similar flight was made to Nadi in Fiji and Port Vila in Vanuatu.
Solomon Airlines General Manager Commercials Gus Kraus said the proving flights were purposely to introduce Solomon Airlines pilots and cabin crew to possible new routes.
He said the flights were also to enable Solomon Islands to promote itself to neighboring countries that could see the airline re-entering the Port Moresby, Nadi and Port Vila routes.
Solomon Airlines had in the past flown these routes with its own aircraft, a Boeing 737 aircraft.
It is currently flying these routes on a code sharing arrangement with other regional airlines.
But with the introduction of its new Air Bus A-320 aircraft, Solomon Airlines is confident it can re-enter these markets.
Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ron Sumsum said the airline had established initial discussions with Air New Guinea, and he is hopeful an arrangement will be finalized in the next few weeks.
Mr. Sumsum said Solomon Airlines is also doing its study into the Nadi and Port Vila routes.
Solomon Airlines currently flies a direct Brisbane-Honiara-Brisbane route four times a week.