Solomon Airlines

Solomon Airlines is the flag carrier and national airline of Solomon Islands. Based in Honiara, it links the country's dispersed islands with scheduled domestic services and operates a smaller international network across the South Pacific. Its regular international activity has included routes to Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati, while codeshare and interline relationships have extended its practical reach beyond the destinations served with its own aircraft. The airline's role is broader than that of a conventional commercial carrier: Solomon Islands is an archipelago with limited transport alternatives, so air services are important for access to government, education, health care, tourism, trade and employment. The business began in 1962 as Megapode Airlines, a charter operation created by Laurie Crowley. Crowley already operated charter aviation in Papua New Guinea and had occasionally flown a Piper Aztec to the Solomon Islands. The absence of a locally based commercial aircraft created an opportunity for a dedicated airline. In 1968, Papua New Guinea-based Macair acquired the company, renamed it Solomon Islands Airways, and moved it toward scheduled operations. The carrier became known by the acronym SOLAIR and served destinations including Bougainville with De Havilland Dove and Beechcraft Baron aircraft. Ownership and operating arrangements changed during the 1970s. In 1975, Macair and its SOLAIR subsidiary were acquired by Dennis Buchanan, the owner of Papua New Guinea's Talair. The airline subsequently operated Beechcraft Queen Air aircraft and introduced a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner as it developed its network. The Solomon Islands Government initially acquired a minority stake and held rights to purchase the remainder. In 1984 it completed the purchase of the outstanding shares, making the airline fully government-owned. Following a difficult transition that saw the departure of experienced employees, the government invested in rebuilding the operation, including the acquisition of Twin Otter aircraft. The company adopted the Solomon Airlines name and introduced a new visual identity. Solomon Airlines later expanded beyond turboprop flying. Joint ventures and commercial relationships with Qantas and Air Pacific supported the introduction of jet services, initially through leased Boeing 737 aircraft. The carrier has continued to combine aircraft owned or controlled directly with leased equipment, reflecting the financial and operational constraints of a small island airline. It has operated several aircraft types over time, including Boeing 737s, an Embraer E170, Dash 8 equipment used temporarily during maintenance, and Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline's A320 operation, introduced through leasing arrangements and later associated with its own air operator certification, became important to its regional international services. The airline was severely affected by the ethnic conflict that began in Solomon Islands in the late 1990s. International sanctions and the resulting collapse in demand and connectivity reduced its network at one point to scheduled service to Brisbane. After the conflict, Solomon Airlines rebuilt its regional operations. It has also faced the recurring operational pressures common to small Pacific carriers, including aircraft maintenance, reliance on leased capacity, limited fleet scale and dependence on government-related revenue and support. In June 2016, the airline suspended domestic, international and ground operations after its chief executive attributed the grounding to unpaid government arrears. Service resumed two days later. In the 2020s, Solomon Airlines continued to position itself as a regional connectivity provider. In 2023, management discussed acquiring a second A320 to support network growth and anticipated demand associated with the Pacific Games hosted in Honiara. In 2024, after the liquidation of Air Vanuatu, the airline introduced weekly direct services between Auckland and Port Vila to help restore access for passengers, including Vanuatuan seasonal workers in New Zealand. It subsequently announced plans for direct Christchurch–Port Vila service from July 2026. Its current identity emphasizes the Solomon Islands national flag and the slogan-oriented expression "Spirit of Solomons," while its commercial proposition remains centered on dependable access to and within the Solomon Islands and the wider South Pacific.

Solomon Airlines traces its origins to 1962, when Laurie Crowley established Megapode Airlines as a charter operator. Crowley had a charter business in Papua New Guinea and occasionally flew a Piper Aztec to Solomon Islands. Because no commercial aircraft was permanently based in the islands, he saw a need for a locally oriented air service. Macair, a Papua New Guinea airline, acquired Megapode in 1968. It renamed the operation Solomon Islands Airways, commonly abbreviated as SOLAIR, and changed its focus from occasional charter work to scheduled services. The early scheduled network included Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, using De Havilland Dove and Beechcraft Baron aircraft. In 1975, Macair and SOLAIR were acquired by Dennis Buchanan, owner of Talair. Solomon Islands Airways subsequently operated Beechcraft Queen Air aircraft and gradually expanded its capabilities, including the acquisition of a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner and the establishment of services to Vanuatu. The Solomon Islands Government became a minority shareholder in 1976, acquiring 49 percent of the airline and obtaining an option to purchase the remaining shares. It exercised that option in 1984, taking full ownership. The change created a difficult period for the carrier. Some employees, including trained operational and managerial personnel, left because of uncertainty about the new ownership. The government then undertook a rebuilding program, investing in two De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otters and introducing a new livery. The company was formally renamed Solomon Airlines. The airline developed its international capability through partnerships and leased aircraft. A joint venture with Qantas was followed by cooperation with Air Pacific, and the carrier entered the jet era with leased Boeing 737 aircraft. When Air Pacific planned to replace its Boeing 737 with a Boeing 767, Solomon Airlines arranged another leased 737 through International Lease Finance Corporation. Leasing became a recurring feature of the airline's fleet strategy, allowing a small national carrier to operate aircraft larger or more capable than its permanently owned turboprop fleet could provide. Solomon Airlines' development was interrupted by the ethnic conflict that began in 1999. United Nations sanctions and the wider disruption severely damaged international operations. At one stage, the carrier retained only its scheduled Brisbane service. Following the end of the conflict, it rebuilt its international network and resumed a broader regional role. The fleet and operating model continued to evolve. In 2006, the airline obtained a Boeing 737-300 with pilots and cabin crew from AirClass Airways. During January and February 2009, it temporarily leased a 40-seat Dash 8 from Vincent Aviation while a Twin Otter underwent heavy maintenance in Honiara. In August 2009, it obtained an Airbus A320-200 with crews from Strategic Airlines. After the Strategic lease ended, Solomon Airlines acquired an Airbus A320-211 and obtained its own air operator certificate. The airline has historically operated Boeing 737-200, 737-300 and 737-400 aircraft, as well as an Embraer E170, alongside Twin Otters and other regional equipment. A major operational crisis occurred on 7 June 2016, when Solomon Airlines suspended all flights and ground operations. Chief executive Ron Sum Sum said the immediate cause was the government's failure to pay millions of dollars in arrears. The suspension stranded passengers at Honiara but lasted only two days before operations resumed. In the 2020s, the airline continued to adjust its network to regional demand and disruptions affecting other Pacific carriers. In 2023, chief executive Gus Kraus said that Solomon Airlines was considering a second A320 to support expansion and demand linked to the Pacific Games in Honiara. In May 2024, after Air Vanuatu's liquidation, the airline launched weekly Auckland–Port Vila flights, helping restore a connection used by Vanuatu seasonal workers and other travelers. In January 2026, it announced planned Christchurch–Port Vila flights beginning in July 2026. Solomon Airlines remains an active government-owned carrier whose principal strategic importance lies in maintaining domestic access across Solomon Islands while providing selective links with neighboring Pacific countries.

• 2024

  Auckland–Port Vila service launches

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Solomon Airlines begins weekly direct flights between Auckland and Port Vila after Air Vanuatu enters liquidation.

• 2016

  Two-day operational suspension

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  All flights and ground operations are suspended over reported unpaid government arrears before restarting two days later.

• 2009

  A320-era operations begin

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  The airline obtains an Airbus A320-200 through a Strategic Airlines lease arrangement and later acquires an A320-211 and its own air operator certificate.

• 1999

  Ethnic conflict disrupts the network

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Conflict and United Nations sanctions severely reduce the airline's international operations.

• 1987

  Rebuilding and Solomon Airlines rebrand

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  After a difficult ownership transition, the government invests in Twin Otters, introduces a new livery and formally adopts the Solomon Airlines name.

• 1984

  Full government ownership

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  The government purchases the remaining shares and becomes the airline's sole owner.

• 1976

  Government takes a minority stake

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  The Solomon Islands Government purchases 49 percent of the airline and receives rights to acquire the balance.

• 1975

  Talair ownership begins

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Dennis Buchanan, owner of Talair, acquires Macair and its Solomon Islands subsidiary.

• 1968

  Macair acquires and renames the airline

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Macair purchases Megapode Airlines, renames it Solomon Islands Airways, and begins scheduled operations.

• 1962

  Megapode Airlines is established

  [1]Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Laurie Crowley establishes the charter airline that later becomes Solomon Airlines.

A government-owned national carrier focused on essential domestic connectivity and regional South Pacific links.

• Passenger aviation · 1968

  Domestic passenger services

  Solomon Airlines operates an extensive domestic network connecting Honiara with communities and islands across Solomon Islands. These services are central to the airline's public-service role because the country's geography makes surface transport between many islands impractical or unavailable. Domestic flying has historically relied on regional turboprop aircraft such as the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.

• Passenger aviation

  Regional international passenger services

  The airline provides scheduled international connections from Solomon Islands to selected South Pacific and Australian destinations. Its network has included Brisbane, Nadi, Port Vila, Port Moresby and Tarawa, with some routes supported by codeshare arrangements rather than the airline's own aircraft. Regional flying has used leased and owned jet aircraft, including Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.

• Air transport services · 1962

  Charter and special operations

  The business originated as a charter airline and has retained the capability to support charter, seasonal and special-purpose passenger movements. Such operations are relevant in a region where tourism, government activity, emergency access and major events can create demand beyond the regular timetable.

• Air transport services

  Air cargo and baggage carriage

  As a scheduled domestic and regional carrier, Solomon Airlines also transports cargo and passenger baggage within its network. The available reference material does not specify a separately branded cargo product or detailed freight capacity.

• 2024

  Auckland–Port Vila serviceProduct launch

  Background

  Air Vanuatu entered liquidation, leaving passengers and seasonal workers without a direct connection between New Zealand and Vanuatu.

  Action taken

  Solomon Airlines introduced weekly direct flights between Auckland and Port Vila.

  Aftermath

  The service helped fill an immediate regional connectivity gap created by the failure of another Pacific national carrier.

  Source

• 2023

  Consideration of a second Airbus A320Strategy

  Background

  Management anticipated increased demand associated with the Pacific Games held in Honiara and sought to expand regional capacity.

  Action taken

  Chief executive Gus Kraus confirmed that the airline was evaluating the acquisition of a second A320-200.

  Source

• 2016

  Temporary suspension of all operationsOther

  Background

  The chief executive said the airline was owed millions of dollars in government arrears.

  Action taken

  The airline halted domestic flights, international flights and ground operations on 7 June.

  Aftermath

  Operations resumed two days later, although the event highlighted the carrier's financial dependence on government-related payments.

  Source

• 2009

  Move into Airbus A320 operationsGeneration change

  Background

  The carrier required larger jet equipment for regional international services and had historically depended on leased aircraft.

  Action taken

  Solomon Airlines obtained an Airbus A320-200 through a Strategic Airlines lease and later acquired an A320-211 and its own air operator certificate.

  Aftermath

  The A320 became an important part of the airline's international operating model.

  Source

• 1987

  Rebuild and rebrand as Solomon AirlinesStrategy

  Background

  Following the transition to full government ownership, the airline faced skepticism and the loss of trained personnel.

  Action taken

  The government invested in two DHC-6-300 Twin Otters, introduced a new livery and formally changed the name to Solomon Airlines.

  Aftermath

  The measures established the modern national-carrier identity and restored an operational base for domestic services.

  Source

• 1984

  Complete government acquisitionStrategy

  Background

  The Solomon Islands Government already held a 49 percent stake and had rights to acquire the remaining shares.

  Action taken

  The government purchased the outstanding shares and took full ownership of the airline.

  Aftermath

  The ownership change led to employee departures and a subsequent government-backed rebuilding program involving new aircraft and a renamed brand.

  Source

1. 1Solomon Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Solomon Airlines official websiteflysolomons.com