Another Australian Airline to receive a Melanesian flogging?
Hopefully Strategic will not commit the same crucial mistake as its predecessor in extending credit to the National Airline of a country where its leaders condone the practice of incurring debt without honoring it.
Airline to get new aircraft in August Thursday, 07 May 2009 SOLOMON Airlines will get its Airbus 320-200 aircraft in August this year.
This follows the signing of an agreement between the national career and Strategic Airlines of Australia, which will lease the plane.
Solomon Airlines board chairman Billy Tyson announced the deal last night.
“This is an exciting time for the airlines to full its promises to the Solomon Islands public by engaging in such important arrangement,” Mr Tyson said.
"The aircraft will give Solomon Airlines the added capacity required to meet the growing tourism trends to around 18 per cent annually which may expect future growth," he said.
Strategic Airline has been involved in transporting military personnel from Australia to the Middle East.
It started business some four years ago in Australia.
"This is the first partnership for us with a commercial airline services," says Shaun Aisen, Executive Director last night.
He said the deal was made possible after two and half years of concrete discussions.
"It’s a partnership for a longer term and we are committed to provide solutions and aircrafts for Solomon Airlines," he said.
The airbus last year was chartered to bring more than 100 students at USP, Fiji, back to the Honiara.
The new aircraft expects to increase its capacity in cargo and passenger loading once operational.
The new agreement will mean once the airbus starts operates in August, Solomon Airlines lease deal with Our Airline of Nauru will cease.
The modern airbus aircraft has 12 business class and 144 economy seats.
The service will be operated by Strategic owned pilots, but with local cabin crew.
The airline is also hopeful to review its domestic service and acquire a Dash 8 to service the domestic sector.
Solomon Airlines Executive Officer Ron Sumsum said this is an exciting time for the airlines, which shows the commitment by the board and support rendered by the national government.
Former Chairman of the airlines and now Minister of Education Matthew Wale said the airline has taken a step in achieving some its objectives to offer the much needed service for the country.
He said the government is excited about such development and the airline must utilise the opportunity to its maximum benefit.
Those that attended last night’s ceremony include Minister of Culture and Tourism Seth Gukuna, board members, Attorney General Gabriel Suri, Investment Cooperation of Solomon Islands officials, airline staff and bank representatives.