– Flights to Santo from Honiara, Brisbane, and Auckland from September

Solomon Airlines is poised to introduce flights from three countries to Espiritu Santo from next month
as the airline expands its international schedule and increases connectivity to the popular Vanuatu destination.
Effective 16 September, 2024, Solomon Airlines will offer flights from Honiara, Brisbane, and
Auckland to Santo with the airline’s weekly inbound schedule to Santo operating as follows:

• Mondays – Solomon Airlines Flight IE722 Honiara-Santo
• Tuesdays – Solomon Airlines Flight IE 711 Auckland-Port Vila-Santo
• Thursdays – Solomon Airlines Flight IE726 Brisbane-Santo

Solomon Airlines said the company is proud to offer increased capacity to Santo and looks forward to working with the Espiritu Santo Tourism Association and Vanuatu Tourism Office to help boost tourism to the region. In July this year, Solomon Airlines commenced a non-stop service from Brisbane to Santo as part of the airline’s growing Vanuatu schedule. The news of further capacity was well received by the Santo local tourism industry.

Chairman of the newly elected Espiritu Santo Tourism Association Committee, Mr Rayman Leung said the Solomon Airlines’ services will greatly assist ESTA’s efforts to revitalize the local tourism industry. “The introduction of A320 international flights from Solomon Islands, Australia, and New Zealand to Santo is an extremely positive development for us, which again opens the door to future possibilities.”

“Santo has a great deal to offer as a holiday destination,” Mr. Leung added.

“ESTA has worked tirelessly to do what we can, to support the reintroduction of air services and we are thrilled to welcome Solomon Airlines on all routes. We have never had such great connections from New Zealand. We believe Santo is a perfect new destination for Kiwis to explore.”

“Our focus now is on building awareness, interest, and demand from international markets, and supporting our province’s diverse businesses and communities to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Vanuatu Department of Tourism Director, Mr. Paul Pio stated: “The expansion of flights to Santo and streamlined flight connections from throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands is extremely good news for our tourism industry, and will create renewed confidence among travelers and our trade partners.”

“Our tourism industry is largely dependent on international markets, so we can now move forward with
certainty.”

“We very much welcome our ongoing collaboration with Solomon Airlines, with the airline initially stepping in at short notice to resume operations between Auckland and Port Vila, progressively increasing flight frequency and last month resuming the Brisbane-Santo direct services.

“I have no doubt that working together and supporting the efforts of ESTA, we will bring many more International visitors to Santo.”

Espiritu Santo located in Vanuatu’s northern islands is the country’s largest island and one of its most popular international holiday destinations. Santo is known as a magical location for holidaymakers to swim in the famous blue holes, and enjoy world-renowned beaches, dive sites, and the kastom and culture of the island.

Flying direct to Santo takes just 1.4 hours from Honiara and 2.5 hours from Brisbane. Flying from Auckland via Vila, travel time is 4.0 hours including a one-hour stopover in Vila.

From 16th September 2024 Solomon Airlines will operate the following flights to and from Vanuatu.

Monday – Honiara-Santo-Vila-Auckland

Flight IE 722 departs Honiara at 07:15 am arrive in Santo at 09:15 AM, departs Santo at 10:15 am arrive Vila 11:00 am
Flight IE 710 departs Vila 12:00 arrive in Auckland 16:16pm

Tuesday – Auckland-Vila-Santo-Honiara

Flight IE 711 departs Auckland at 08:35 am and arrives in Port Vila at 10:50 am
Flight IE 723 departs PORT Vila at 11:50 am and arrives in Santo at 12:35 pm
Flight IE 723 departs Santo at 13:35 pm and arrives in Honiara 15:35 pm

Thursday – Brisbane-Santo-Vila-Brisbane

This flight remains unchanged and is as follows

Flight IE 726 departs Brisbane at 09:00 am and arrives in Santo 12:50 pm
Flight IE726 departs Santo at 13:50 pm and arrives in Port Vila at 14:35 pm
Flight IE 718 departs Port Vila at 15:35 pm and arrives in Brisbane 17:40 pm

Friday – Honiara-Vila-Auckland

Flight IE 722 departs Honiara at 07:15 am and arrives in Port Vila at 9:15 am
Flight IE 710 departs Port Vila at 10:15 am and arrives in Auckland at 2.30 pm

Saturday – Auckland-Vila-Honiara

Flight IE 711 departs Auckland at 08:35 am and arrives in Port Vila at 10:50 am
Flight IE 723 depart Port Vila at 11:50 am and arrives in Honiara at 13:50 pm

About Solomon Airlines

With 62 years of operation, Solomon Airlines is one of the oldest Airlines in the Pacific Region. As the
Pacific’s best-emerging airline, we are dedicated to delivering operational excellence and outstanding
customer service. We are committed to ensuring safe, reliable, and easy flight access for our people,
visitors and friends, our seasonal workers, and corporate travelers who need to move within the Pacific
Region.
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Media inquiries:
Please contact Heather Jeffery, Solomon Airlines [email protected] +61 426 719219

– Solomon Airlines MEDIA RELEASE