Solomon Airlines completes first commercial flight of the new Twin Otter yesterday

• View our walkthrough of Twin Otter H4-SIC with First Officer Salome Agiomea

The 19-seat Twin Otter H4-SIC completed its first commercial passenger journey from Honiara to Arona to Kirakira yesterday as flight IE386, before returning home to Honiara. 

This afternoon the aircraft is scheduled to visit Parasi and Marau, and to touch down in Munda and Gizo tomorrow morning for the very first time.

The completely ‘relifed’ aircraft includes an additional 1,500lb take-off and landing weight capability, new interior and seating, and airline-grade digital avionics system.

Mr. Frank Wickham, Chairman of Solomon Airlines said the new Twin Otter aircraft was doubly significant for the national carrier.

“The arrival of this aircraft opens new possibilities for our domestic operation, and it also signals confidence that even in this era of COVID-19, we can continue to progress, and we are continuing to prepare for better times ahead.

“This is a very positive development for air services between the Solomon Islands and also for the time to come when eventually we also welcome tourists back to the country,” Mr. Wickham said.