Solomon Airlines first flight from Brisbane to Vanuatu lands to round of applause

Solomon Airlines first flight from Brisbane to Vanuatu lands to round of applause
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Solomon Airlines first flight from Brisbane to Vanuatu’s Santo Espiritu landed to an applause from onlookers and a water canon salute at Santo-Pekoa International Airport today.

    It marks the recommencement of a weekly international service from the Queensland capital.

    On departure from Brisbane International Airport passengers were presented with a souvenir Flight Certificate to mark the occasion and in Santo were warmly welcomed with fresh salusalu (floral lei), a musical welcome by a local string band and fresh coconuts, which were handed to every passenger.

    Solomon Airlines will operate Flight IE726 as a 2-hour 50-minute non-stop service every Thursday departing at 9am, arriving in Santo at 12.50pm local time. Return services from Santo will operate on Thursdays as Flight IE726 departing Santo at 1.50pm arriving Port Vila at 2.35pm, departing Port Vila as Flight IE718 at 3.35pm arriving in Brisbane at 5.40pm.

    Locals welcome the first Solomons Airlines flight Brisbane.

    Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO, Adela Issachar Aru said the nation was thrilled to welcome the first flight back to Espiritu Santo.

    “The Santo industry and community are buzzing with excitement to greet Aussie travellers and showcase all the incredible experiences the northern region has to offer,” Aru said.

    “This direct service allows visitors to Answer the Call of Vanuatu once again, making it easier than ever for Aussies to explore the wonders of Santo, from the pristine beaches of the Champagne Coast to the sensational blue holes.

    “The re-established connectivity, thanks to Solomon Airlines, provides a welcome boost to the local tourism economy, and will help us to continually see Australian visitation numbers rise as we welcome holidaymakers to our shores in 2024 and beyond.”

    The weekly Airbus A320 service reopens an important direct route for passengers and freight between Australia and Vanuatu, via the Brisbane gateway. Espiritu Santo, located in Vanuatu’s northern islands is the country’s largest island and one of its most popular international holiday destinations.

    It follows the collapse of Air Vanuatu which has filed for insolvency, cancelling flights to and from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.

    Solomon Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar in battle of the Pacific over flights to Vanuatu

    Latest News

    • Aviation

    Delta marks 15 years of travel to Australia on US Independence Day

    This July marks 15 years since Delta Air Lines began flying between Sydney and Los Angeles. To mark the occasion, Delta Air Lines had a small activation at their check in counter at Sydney Airport on Thursday July 4 – Independence Day in the US. Passengers were greeted with red, white and blue balloons as […]

    • Events
    • Health & Wellness

    Boxing camp with world champion boxers at COMO Uma Canggu

    COMO Uma Canggu has invited boxing enthusiasts to an intensive six-day boxing camp, led by world champion boxers Darren Barker and Ryan Pickard, this October. Participants will master the fundamentals of boxing, improve their self-defence skills, and transform their fitness regimen. Under the expert guidance of world-class boxers, attendees will undergo a variety of workouts […]

    • Cruise

    Travelmarvel unveils its Europe Coastal Cruising 2025 lineup

    Travelmarvel has revealed its 2025 Europe Coastal Cruising program and introduces 13 itineraries that include two extended combination journeys. The MS Caledonian Sky also makes its grand return the APT family. Renowned for its intimate cruising experience, the vessel accommodates an average of 100 passengers with a crew of 70. It features one of the highest […]

    • Tour Operators

    Anderson’s Tours named top experience in Australia

    Anderson’s Tours has, for the second time, achieved the top spot as the No. 1 Experience in Australia at TripAdvisors Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2024. The family-owned and operated touring company takes pride in showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains and provide guests with professional, local tour […]

    • Destinations

    Queenstown welcomes fresh snow dump for school holidays

    The spectacular mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand, have been blanketed by snow – as much as 50cm in 48 hours – providing the perfect winter vacation for the entire family. All four of the region’s ski areas are now open with The Remarkables having recorded 70cm of snow already this season while Cardrona Alpine Resort […]

    • Hotels

    Sheraton Samoe Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows’ soft reopening

    The Sheraton Hotels & Resorts iconic grand jewel on Apia Harbour, Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows reopen following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The property will reopen in a phased manner with 56 of its 175 rooms, suites and bungalows now available for bookings. The grand opening of the hotel is expected to be in […]

    • Technology

    Commonwealth Bank offers new Travel Booking service via its app

    Commonwealth Bank is offering a new Travel Booking service via its CommBank app, which allows more than 6 million eligible customers to search, book and pay for flights and hotels from hundreds of airlines and hundreds of thousands of hotels. The new CommBank digital experience is powered by global online travel agency Hopper, already used […]

    • Aviation

    Lufthansa Group gets green light to take major stake in ITA Airways

    The European Commission has approved Lufthansa Group’s proposition to take a 41 per cent stake in ITA Airways following an investigation by EU antitrust regulators. The deal which was first announced in May last year will see Lufthansa pay 325 million Euro to take the remaining shares in 2025. Both Lufthansa and ITA have previously […]

    • Aviation

    Vietjet’s two new routes to South Korea and China

    Vietjet has announced the commencement of two new routes, expanding its network in both South Korea and China. The new routes include Nha Trang-Daegu in South Korea and Ho Chi Minh City-Xi’an in China. The new route connecting Vietnam’s coastal city of Nha Trang with Daegu, a major city located in southeastern South Korea, is […]

    • Destinations

    Istanbul in a heartbeat

    Istanbul offers an unparalleled blend of history, culture, and... Chaos.

    • Hotels

    Angsana to launch first island resort in Vietnam’s Bai Tu Long Bay

    Banyan Group’s subsidiary Angsana has announced the opening of Angsana Quan Lan, a 156-room and suite luxury offering with stunning views of the Gulf of Tonkin. Guests can enjoy dining at three distinct venues and unwind at Angsana Spa, as well as the brand’s signature ‘101 Things To Do’ that celebrate Vietnam’s coastal charm. The […]

    • Cruise

    Hurtigruten’s SeaZero wins prestigious award

    Hurtigruten’s SeaZero project has won the award for Best Concept Ship Design at the prestigious Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards 2024 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. The first rendering of the project was released a year ago with a goal to create the world’s most energy-efficient ship. Announced in 2021, the project is currently […]