Solomon Airlines will debut its first-ever non-stop flight from Auckland to Brisbane on 21st February, signalling a new chapter for Pacific travel. This new weekly service is set to enhance tourism and business exchange while providing a convenient travel option for passengers.
Strengthening Regional Presence
Solomon Airlines is making strategic moves to strengthen its position in the Pacific market, with a clear focus on New Zealand. John Wopereis, the airline’s Commercial Manager, outlined the vision, saying,
“Our vision is to be the best emerging airline in the Pacific, so we are looking for opportunities to not only grow our routes but also better cater to our customers out of New Zealand and around the Pacific region.”
This move brings Solomon Airlines into direct competition with major players like Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar, and China Airlines.
However, Wopereis remains hopeful about the airline’s ability to compete, adding, “It would be a big ask for a small airline such as ours to always be the cheapest, but we will do our best to be competitive just like the other carriers will.”
Distinct Service Offering
Solomon Airlines has a rich 62-year history and is setting itself apart as a full-service airline focused on customer experience, offering features such as 33 inches of legroom and competitive baggage allowances.
Commercial Manager John Wopereis reflected on the challenges of expanding, stating, “We are putting ourselves out there. We acknowledge that, however, as a small business, we do need to grow and we need to take a bit of a risk here.”
He highlighted the airline’s target audience as travellers who are “adventurous, curious, who are looking for something off the beaten track.”
Flight Schedule and Convenience
Flight IE 725 will operate every Friday, departing Auckland at 6:30 AM and arriving in Brisbane at 7:15 AM. The return leg will leave Brisbane at 6:50 PM and land in Auckland at 12:55 AM on Saturday.
This schedule allows passengers to connect beyond Brisbane to the Solomon Islands without the need for an overnight stay, an issue that has previously been a challenge for travellers heading to Munda, Gizo, Seghe, and Suavanoa.
Tourism Growth and Impact
The new flight route has been hailed as a crucial milestone for the Solomon Islands’ tourism industry by Tourism Solomons. Acting CEO Dagnal Dereveke called it “one of the biggest developments for the country’s tourism sector in recent years,” highlighting the convenience it brings for travellers, especially those connecting to the islands.
“A major benefit would see the airline offer seamless, same-day connectivity into the key Munda-Western Province tourism corridor and Honiara,” he noted.
New Zealand has long been a vital source of visitors to the Solomon Islands, with arrivals rising by 5% annually before COVID-19. Dereveke also pointed to the agency’s ongoing promotional efforts in New Zealand, noting,
“We have also been extremely proactive with the New Zealand consumer and specialist media,” with plans for further engagement, including an Auckland media event in mid-2025.
Expansion and Network Growth
Commercial Manager John Wopereis confirmed the airline’s intention to explore more routes from New Zealand, saying,
“We really want to grow our network out of New Zealand. So when opportunities come up that align with the rest of our network and provide better connectivity and convenience to the travelling public, we’ll definitely capitalise on those.”
The new Auckland–Brisbane route will cater to not just tourists, but also business travellers and seasonal workers, while offering opportunities for enhanced cargo and trade links.
“We’re very much wanting to make it easier for our people to get to New Zealand and for the work that they need to do in your agricultural and horticultural industries there.”
While the airline faces stiff competition on the Auckland–Brisbane route, it is confident in maintaining competitive pricing without compromising on its full-service offering.
However, it must contend with the New Zealand government’s advisory regarding civil unrest in the Solomon Islands.
“We’re starting off one flight a week and we’ll see how it performs and how we can expand that in line with the other routes that we’re currently serving around the Pacific region.”