A new agreement signed between the Gillard labour Government and Solomon Islands will double the current flights between Australia and Solomon Islands.
Speaking to SIBC, the Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese said, the new agreement is a "positive way of supporting the Solomon Islands economy and its developing tourism industry."Mr Albanese said that the new arrangement means greater opportunities for Australia and Pacific Islanders to travel between popular holiday destinations within the region.
The Infrastructure minister said he hopes that further seats will be added each year to reach a maximum total of 2,000 by 2015.
Mr Albanese said under the agreement, both countries will use unrestricted capacity for cargo services, allowing airlines to expand their freight operations across the pacific region.
He said the new agreement also strengthens safety and security procedures.