In a sorely needed boost to travel to Vanuatu, Solomon Airlines will launch a new triangular service between Brisbane and Espiritu Santo island.
Commencing 4 July, the direct weekly service re-establishes a route Solomon Airlines previously operated on behalf of Air Vanuatu, which collapsed in early May.
The journey also reconnects Australia directly to one of Vanuatu’s top destinations and an Aussie favourite in the country.
As well as growing Solomon’s Pacific network, the new service will provide an important freight link between the countries.
Brisbane to Espiritu Santo flights will run every Thursday.
Flight IE726 departs Brisbane at 9am and arrives in Santo at 12:50pm. The return service IE726 departs Santo at 1:50pm, touching down in Port Vila at 2:35pm. Flight IE718 will then leave Port Vila at 3:35pm and land in Brisbane at 5:40pm.
Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru said the new flights would be “widely celebrated by the tourism industry here in Vanuatu, especially our industry partners in Santo”.
“The direct weekly service to Santo from Brisbane is a welcome development in re-establishing our aviation connectivity. We have always had a strong partnership with Solomon Airlines and are thrilled to continue working with them,” she added.
Aru also talked up Espiritu Santo, “a magical location for holidaymakers to lose themselves amongst the blue holes, world famous beaches, dive sites, kastom and culture of the island”.
“Santo is as laid back as you can get and a great place to escape for you winter break,” she said.
“Australians have always loved Vanuatu – while only 2.5 hours from Brisbane, it feels like a whole world away – so we hope this news encourages travellers to book their next holiday with us, and experience our warm welkam, lush landscapes and crystal blue waters for themselves.”
Solomon Airlines also operates a twice-weekly service between Brisbane and Honiara (Solomon Islands) on Monday/Tuesday and Wednesday/Thursday.
