More International Flights To Santo Espiritu As Solomon Airlines Increases Vanuatu Schedule

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 from 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 revitalise 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 Solomon Islands is extremely good news for our tourism industry, and will create renewed confidence among travellers 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, 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 depart Honiara 07:15am arrive Santo 09:15AM, depart Santo 10:15amam arrive Vila 11:00am
Flight IE 710 depart Vila 12:00 arrive Auckland 16:16pm

Tuesday - Auckland-Vila-Santo-Honiara

Flight IE 711 depart Auckland 08:35am arrive Port Vila 10:50am
Flight IE 723 depart PORT  Vila 11:50am arrive Santo 12:35pm
Flight IE 723 depart Santo 13:35pm arrive Honiara 15:35pm

Thursday - Brisbane-Santo-Vila-Brisbane

This flight remains unchanged and is as follows

Flight IE 726 depart Brisbane at 09:00am arrive Santo 12:50pm
Flight IE726 depart Santo 13:50pm arrive Port Vila at 14:35pm
Flight IE 718 depart Port Vila 15:35pm arrive Brisbane 17:40pm

Friday   - Honiara-Vila-Auckland

Flight IE 722 depart Honiara 07:15am arrive Port Vila 9:15am
Flight IE 710 depart Port Vila 10:15am arrive Auckland 2.30pm

Saturday - Auckland-Vila-Honiara

Flight IE 711 depart Auckland 08:35am arrive Port Vila 10:50am
Flight IE 723 depart Port Vila 11:50am arrive Honiara 13:50pm

For additional information see flysolomons.com or follow us for latest Solomon Airlines updates, Facebook , Instagram  or LinkedIn.