Solomon Airlines will operate a one-off commercial flight on 30th April following consultation with the Solomon Islands Government and foreign High Commissions, including Australia and New Zealand.
The Airbus A320 flight will position from Brisbane to Honiara as a cargo only service on 29 April and will depart Honiara International Airport on 30 April returning Solomon Islands based passengers to Australia or to transit in Sydney and Brisbane to onward international destinations.
Solomon Airlines Flight IE4710 will depart Honiara at 0450, arriving Sydney at 0805, departing Sydney at 0905 and arriving Brisbane at 1015.
Check-in will be required at least three hours prior to departure with the flight being operated in line with Ministry of Health and Solomon Airlines safety requirements. Despite there being no known COVID-19 cases in the Solomon Islands, crew will wear masks and gloves for duration of the service as an added protection for both crew and passengers.
“While Solomon Islands’ borders remain closed and inbound passengers are currently not permitted to enter the country in accordance with Solomon Islands Government directions, all stakeholders have conferred and agreed to operate this outbound flight,” said Solomon Airlines CEO Brett Gebers.
“This is a special flight to support passengers currently in the Solomon Islands who wish to return to their home countries,” he said.
Solomon Airlines said that existing Honiara–Brisbane ticketholders, with an unused valid ticket as a result of flight suspensions, will be able to be use their existing tickets as a credit towards the special service.
Those wishing to purchase tickets on the 30 April service are able to book online at www.flysolomons.com and register details of travellers (including names and full passport details) using the online form at: https://flysolomons.typeform.com/to/DUaxA9
Alternatively passengers can visit a Solomon Airlines sales office, e-mail reservations@flysolomons.com or call Solomon Airlines Reservations on 177 in the Solomon Islands.
The Australian High Commission has issued the following comprehensive advice to Australians and third-country nationals in Solomon Islands who may wish to fly to Australia or transit through Australia.
Notice for those wishing to return to or transit through Australia
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents:
Australians who have not returned home are being urged to subscribe to the Smartraveller service (subscription.smartraveller.gov.au/subscribe/). This free service provides latest updates to government travel advice by email.
An SMS option for critical alerts is also available.
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 135 from within Australia
+61 421 269 080 via SMS
Otherwise phone the High Commission switchboard on 21561 and follow the prompts that will automatically transfer you to the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre.
Citizens of New Zealand, Pacific Island Forum countries or Timor Leste and Residents of New Caledonia or French Polynesia
Travellers in this category do not need a transit exemption (see below) if they have a connecting flight to depart Australia within 72 hours of the arriving flight. Approvals from state/territory authorities may still be depending on the length of transit (see below).
Other Nationalities
Special requirements currently apply to other travellers who wish to transit through Australia. You will only be able to travel if you have:
a) a confirmed connecting international flight departing from the airport in the same city you have arrived in
b) obtained a travel restriction exemption from the Australian Border Force Commissioner (apply online at:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/covid19-enquiry-form),
and
c) obtained a 771 transit visa (free of charge and available online at:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/transit-771).
These applications should be submitted urgently, as soon as flight bookings are made, to avoid delays that may prevent travel.
Transiting passengers who need to pass through immigration at the airport due to transits exceeding eight hours (up to a maximum of 72 hours) will need to go into mandatory quarantine at a designated facility, as arranged by the relevant Australian state/territory health authority.
They will need to obtain approval from the relevant Australian state/territory authority prior to travel, in order to leave quarantine before the mandatory 14 days and connect with their outward flights.
All transiting passengers must also pass any health assessments at the airport and adhere to social distancing and personal hygiene requirements. The High Commission and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will provide guidance on obtaining this approval, where necessary, in conjunction with Solomon Airlines and the State authorities.
Further information is available in detail from the following websites or from your Embassy in Canberra.
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/transiting-australia
Source: Solomon Airlines