Conditions of Carriage

Airline Designator Code means the two or three characters which identify particular Carriers.  Solomon Airlines Airline Designator Code is IE. 

Authorised Agent means a licensed passenger sales agent who represents us in the sale of air passenger transportation on our services

Baggage means your personal property accompanying you on your trip. It consists of both your Checked Baggage and Cabin Baggage

Conditions of Carriage means these Conditions of Carriage and includes the conditions of contract or key conditions of carriage set out in your Ticket

Montreal Convention means the Montreal Convention (1999)

Warsaw Convention means the Warsaw Convention 1929, or that convention as amended at The Hague on 28 September 1955, and by the Montreal Protocols No. 1, 2 or 4 of (1975)

Ticket means either the document entitled "Passenger Ticket " or the Electronic Ticket issued by us or an Authorised Agent on behalf of us and includes all printed terms, conditions and notices

These Conditions of Carriage apply to travel on flights or flight segments, where 'Solomon Airlines' or Airline Designator Code 'IE ' is shown as the carrier on your Ticket, and in any case where we have a legal liability to you in relation to your flight.

The carriage of a Passenger on any flight by Solomon Airlines under the IE Airline Designator Code is, without exception, subject to:

• these Conditions of Carriage
• any applicable Tariffs filed by us with regulatory bodies
• the Convention and any other applicable laws
• any specific directions given to a Passenger in writing or orally by our staff, and
• the fare rules. 

These Conditions of Carriage do not apply to the extent that they are inconsistent with laws that apply to your carriage.

If carriage is performed by us under a charter agreement (hire arrangement), these Conditions of Carriage apply unless Passengers are advised otherwise by or on behalf of the charterer prior to boarding the aircraft.

If we make arrangements for you with any third party to provide any services other than carriage by air on a IE Airline Designator Code, or if we issue a Ticket or voucher relating to air transportation or other services provided by a third party (for example hotel reservations) in doing so we act only as agent. The terms and conditions of the third-party service provider will apply.

3.1 Prepare to Travel

It is your responsibility to make all necessary arrangements for your travel and to ensure that you comply with all laws, regulations and orders of the places you will travel to, such as obtaining required visas and ensuring your passport has sufficient validity as many countries require passport to be valid for 6 months or more. 

3.2 Travel Insurance

Because travel involves many risks, and our liability to you is limited, we recommend you purchase travel insurance. 

3.3 Codeshares

We have arrangements with other Carriers known as 'Codeshares'. This means that even if you have made a reservation with us and hold a Ticket for a Solomon Airlines flight (ie, a flight with an IE Airline Designator Code), you may travel on another Carrier's aircraft.

If such arrangements apply to your flight, we will advise you of the Carrier operating the aircraft at the time you make a reservation. The conditions of carriage of the Carrier whose flight number appears on your Ticket will apply to your Codeshare flight.

3.4 Health

We may refuse to carry you if we, acting reasonably, are not completely satisfied that it is safe for you to fly. Before you make a reservation, you should tell us if you suffer from any illness, disease or other condition which may make it unsafe for you or other Passengers if you fly.

DVT:  Some studies have concluded that sitting for extended periods may be a risk factor in the formation of clots in the legs, known as Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You should discuss preventative measures with your doctor before travel if you feel you may be at risk from DVT or other health problems.

Pregnancy:   If you are pregnant, the following precautions must be observed.

For travel after the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy: you need to carry a certificate or letter from a registered medical practitioner or registered midwife confirming:

the estimated date of delivery
whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy; and
that there are no complications with your pregnancy.

For flights of less than four hours:

If you are having no complications with your pregnancy you can travel up to the end of the 40th week of your pregnancy for single pregnancies and up to the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies (for example, twins).
Medical clearance is required if you are having complications with your pregnancy.

If you wish to travel within seven days after delivery, medical clearance is required. Infants cannot travel for 48 hours after delivery and need medical clearance to travel between three and seven days after delivery.

Please Note:

We do not represent that travel is safe for you at any particular point during your pregnancy. You must seek advice from your own medical practitioner prior to your flight. The periods referred to above are only our minimum requirements.
Some countries place limitations on the entry of non-national pregnant women. Check with the relevant embassy or consulate before you travel to confirm any further limitations.

3.5 Personal Information

We collect personal information about you (including health information where necessary) to provide products and services to you, process your travel arrangements, facilitate your participation in the loyalty programs of Solomon Airlines and other organisations, conduct marketing activities and market research, and for immigration and customs control, security, administrative and legal purposes. If the information is not provided by you, we may not be able to provide the service requested.

For these purposes, you authorise us to retain your personal information and to disclose your personal information to our related companies, other Carriers, travel service providers, organisations which provide services to us, such as collecting commissions, your employer if you are travelling on a Ticket provided through your employer's corporate travel agreement with us, credit and other payment card companies, various law enforcement agencies and governments around the world for security, customs, emergency and immigration purposes..

You may be required by government regulations or laws to provide specific personal information to us, including information to enable you to travel to other countries or to enable us to notify family members in the event of an emergency.

You can gain access to the information we hold about you and ask for correction of your personal information by contacting Solomon Airlines  PO Box 23 Honiara, or by emailing [email protected] in Honiara or [email protected] in Australia.  

A reservation for a flight is made when recorded as accepted and confirmed by us or an Authorised Agent. We or our Authorised Agent will provide you with written confirmation of your reservation.  We do not accept any responsibility for any loss you may incur if you make arrangements for travel on Solomon Airlines through anyone other than Solomon Airlines or its Authorised Agent.

You will not be allowed to travel if you do not have a Ticket for a specified reservation, in a specified class of service and on a specified date and flight.

If we have not received payment for the ticket before the specified ticketing time, or payment is received but subsequently reversed, we may cancel your reservation.

Please check our website for any schedule changes before your departure.

4.1 Changes to Reservations

Your reservation is subject to the fare rules applicable to the type of fare you choose. These are available to you at the time of booking. Note the fare rules and in particular any change fees or restrictions that may apply.

Requests for changes or cancellation of a reservation can only be made directly to Solomon Airlines or our Authorised Agent.

4.2 If You Are Late or Do Not Show Up for Your Flight

If you are late or you do not show up for your flight, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation, or to charge you a reasonable service fee, subject to the Fare Rules applicable to your booking.

4.3 Seating and Downgrade

We will try to accommodate your seating choice, however we do not guarantee any particular seat. We may need to change your seat at any time, even after you have boarded the aircraft, for operational, safety or security reasons.

If we ask you to downgrade from Business Class to Economy Class for any reason, we will at your option:

provide you with an appropriate refund of the difference in fares; or
accommodate you on an alternative available flight on our services.

4.4 Specific Needs

You must contact Solomon Airlines Reservations prior to travel if you require special assistance because:

• you are ill
• you have limited mobility
• you have a service animal
• you are pregnant
• you need special help, or
• you have a child who is to travel unaccompanied.

Your fare covers the flight(s) for you and your Baggage Allowance:

• from the airport at the place of departure specified on your Ticket
• to the airport at the place of destination specified on your Ticket.

Your fare does not include ground transport between one airport and another or between the airport and any other place.

Some fares are non-refundable.  You should choose the fare which best suits your needs and consider taking out travel insurance which covers you in case you need to cancel your reservation.

You must ensure you purchase your Ticket from us or our Authorised Agent.

A Ticket is not transferable to another person unless permitted in the applicable Fare Rules. If someone else presents your Ticket for travel and we discover that that person is not you, we will refuse to carry that person. However, if we, acting reasonably, do not discover that the person is not you and as a result either carry the person or give them a refund, we:

• are not obliged to replace your Ticket: and
• are discharged from all and any liability to provide you a refund.

6.1 Ticket Validity Period

Your Ticket is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, unless the fare rules provide otherwise.

6.2 Ticket Issued for Carriage on Another Carrier

If we issue a Ticket for you to be carried on another Carrier's Airline Designator Code, or check in Baggage for carriage on another Carrier's Airline Designator Code, we do so only as agent for that Carrier. The conditions of carriage of the other Carrier will apply.

7.1 Cabin Baggage

You are entitled to carry on board a limited amount of baggage, provided that it complies with our requirements and these Conditions. The allowances for Cabin Baggage are set out our Website and may change. If any Cabin Baggage exceeds the limits set out on our Website, we may direct such baggage be stowed in the aircraft hold and in this event we will treat the Cabin Baggage as Checked Baggage and may charge a Baggage Fee if applicable. Cabin Baggage allowances do not apply to an infant not occupying an aircraft seat.

7.2. Checked Baggage

a.  Allowance.  Your Checked Baggage allowance depends on your fare and the fare rules.  The current allowances for Checked Baggage are set out on our Website and may change.

b.  Excess and Oversized Baggage. We may accept Checked Baggage that exceeds the designated allowance at our discretion and upon payment by you of the applicable excess baggage charge (at the rates specified on our Website, which are subject to change at any time without notice) prior to carriage. Additionally, if your Baggage exceeds certain size and weight limitations, it must be sent as freight. Please see our Website or contact the Reservations Centre for further information.

c.  Carriage.  We will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure carriage of your Baggage, including Checked Baggage, on the same flight as you. However, in some circumstances, aircraft operational limitations (for example, aircraft weight restrictions caused by unusually strong headwinds or very hot weather) may mean we are unable to carry your baggage on the same flight as you. If this occurs, we will carry your baggage on the next available flight.

d. Infant equipment, including prams/strollers, capsules, portable cots and car seats will be carried in accordance with our Policies set out on our Website and will be stowed in the aircraft hold during the flight.

e. Valuables.  You must never include in your Checked Baggage any money or similar items like negotiable instruments, valuable items like jewellery, identification papers like passports, important original documents, or other valuable items. Subject to the applicable Law and the Conventions, we will not be responsible for Loss of or damage to such items, whether you take them as Checked Baggage or Cabin Baggage.

f. Checked Baggage Receipt. You may be given a Checked Baggage receipt when you check in your baggage. You must retain this receipt to assist you with claiming Checked Baggage at your destination or to make a claim for any applicable compensation if your Checked Baggage is lost or damaged.

g.  Identification of Baggage. You must ensure that all your Checked Baggage is marked with your name and address which will allow us to confirm that the Checked Baggage belongs to you.

h.  Sporting Goods. We may classify sporting goods in a different manner from other Checked Baggage. Our policy for carriage of sporting goods is set out on our Website or you may contact our Reservations Centre for more information.

i.  Firearms.  We may agree but are not obliged to carry firearms and ammunition for sporting purposes in your Checked Baggage. If we do, these must be packed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Applications for the carriage of firearms and ammunition for sporting purposes must be submitted at least two working days prior to your scheduled departure date.

7.3 Prohibited Items

We will not carry, and you must not include in your Baggage or otherwise try to bring on board the following prohibited items:

items which are prohibited by any applicable law from being carried on any aircraft
items listed as dangerous goods
items which are likely to endanger the aircraft or persons or property on board the aircraft, or that may become dangerous. More information is available in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.
items we reasonably determine are unsuitable for carriage because they are dangerous or unsafe
animals (except for Guide Dogs).

If we discover that you are carrying prohibited items, we may do whatever we consider appropriate and what is reasonable in the circumstances, including disposing of the item.  Unless we are at fault, we will not be responsible for any loss or damage caused to any prohibited items if they are brought on board despite being prohibited items.

8.1 Documents and Identification

You must ensure you have with you when you travel a print out of your Electronic Ticket, or a booking reference for domestic travel, identification, all necessary travel documents and anything else you need to travel.

For International Carriage, your passport will be required.

For Domestic Carriage you must be able to produce identification on request, such as your Passport, driver's licence, Social Security Card, valid student photo ID, current company photo ID, birth certificate, birth notice, medical ID or Voters ID.

Children (2-11 years) and infants are exempt from ID requirements for Domestic Carriage.

8.2 Check-In and Boarding Deadlines

Check in deadlines apply and may be strictly enforced. To help us get your flight away on time, ensure you are at the boarding gate by the time specified.

Once you have checked in for your flight and registered any Checked Baggage, keep your Boarding Pass and Baggage receipt with you until you complete your travel.

8.3 If You Are Late

If you arrive late at check-in or the boarding gate, or without your Ticket and all necessary travel documents we may cancel your reservation, refuse to carry you, and/or require you to pay a service fee to cover our administration costs.  

Except as otherwise provided in the Convention or any applicable laws, we are not liable to you for any loss or damage you may suffer as a result of your late arrival.

Schedules are not Guaranteed

We will always do our best to get you to your destination on time, however we do not guarantee the flight times or the route and they do not form part of your contract of carriage with us.

Flight Changes

Before we accept your booking, we or our Authorised Agent will tell you the scheduled departure time of your flight and it will be shown on your Ticket. We may need to change the scheduled departure time of your flight after your Ticket has been issued. If you give us or our Authorised Agent contact information, we or they will use our reasonable endeavours to let you know about any changes. In any event, prior to your flight you should check to ensure your flight times have not changed. You should check the flight departure and arrival information posted at the airport. Except as otherwise provided in the Convention or any applicable laws, we will not be liable to you for any losses that you may incur if you fail to do so.

Significant Change

If, due to circumstances within our control, after you buy your Ticket we make a significant change to the scheduled departure time of your flight or the flight is cancelled, we will:

• rebook you on the next available flight (or combination of flights) on our services to your booked destination at no additional cost to you
• alternatively, at your option, refund the applicable fare
• if you choose to continue travel and the change or cancellation occurs on the day of scheduled travel, resulting in your delay at the departure airport, provide you with meal or refreshment vouchers
• if your travel with us is delayed overnight and you have already commenced travel on your booking (ie you are at an 'away' port), use reasonable endeavours to assist you to find overnight accommodation.

Where your flight is delayed or cancelled as a result of an Event Beyond our Control, whether you have checked in or not, we will:

• use reasonable endeavours to rebook you on the next available flight on our services at no additional cost to you
• alternatively, if we are unable to rebook you on services acceptable to you, we will refund the applicable fare.

We will not be responsible for paying any other costs or expenses you may incur as a result of the delay or cancellation, except as otherwise provided in these Conditions of Carriage or required by applicable laws.

10.1 Refusal of Carriage

Even if you have a Ticket and a confirmed reservation, we may refuse to carry you and your Baggage if you are unable to provide positive identification; do not possess valid travel documents or seek to travel in violation of applicable law, tariffs or general conditions of travel; you are otherwise in breach of these terms and conditions; you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or it is necessary for the safety or comfort of other passengers or for the protection of property. 

10.2 Overbooked Flights - Denied Boarding

Airline flights may be overbooked. This means there is a slight chance that there may be more reservations than available seats on your flight. In these circumstances, where practicable, we will offer an incentive for volunteers not to travel on their booked flight. Volunteers will not be entitled to any further payment, refund or compensation. If there are not enough volunteers, we may need to deny boarding to one or more Passengers involuntarily.

If you are denied boarding due to an overbooking of our flight for which you have a valid Ticket and a confirmed reservation, and you have met our Check-In Deadline and complied with all applicable requirements for travel as set out in these Conditions of Carriage, we will offer you a seat on the next available flight on our services. If this is not acceptable to you, we will provide compensation and any care required by any law which may apply or in accordance with our policy if there is no applicable law. This will depend on the jurisdiction in which the denied boarding occurs.

11.1 Obey Directions

To maximise passenger comfort, safety and security, you must comply with the following requirements, and all other reasonable directions of any crew member on your flight with us, when on board:

• keep your seatbelt fastened when seated
• remain seated with your seatbelt securely fastened during turbulence
• stay seated as directed, in particular while the aircraft is moving on the tarmac
• do not smoke
• if you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation and only alcohol served on your flight with us as part of our inflight bar service
• use infant and child restraints as directed
• do not behave in a manner to which other passengers may reasonably object, and

We may also ask you not to operate any electronic devices including cellular telephones, laptop computers, recorders, radios, CD players, electronic games, laser products or transmitting devices, remote or radio-controlled toys that could interfere with the flight. If you fail to comply with our requests, we may retain the device until the end of the flight. Hearing aids and heart pacemakers are permitted.

11.2 Smoking is prohibited

Smoking is not permitted on any of our aircraft.  This includes e-cigarettes and other personal vaporisers.  E-cigarettes and related devices must be carried as carry-on baggage in the cabin, they are not allowed to be carried as checked baggage. 

12.1 Collect Your Checked Baggage

You must collect your Checked Baggage as soon as it is available for collection.

If you cannot find your Checked Baggage, produce your Ticket and Baggage receipt to us. Only the person to whom the Baggage receipt was issued is entitled to collect that Baggage.

If you pick up the wrong bag or other baggage from the baggage carousel, it is your responsibility immediately to return the bag or baggage at your own cost to the baggage service office or airport manager at the airport where you collected it.

12.2 Disposal of Baggage by Solomon Airlines

If you do not collect your Checked Baggage within 28 Days of your flight, it will be disposed of without notifying you and without liability on our part.

We are not liable for any loss you may suffer caused as a result of your leaving Cabin Baggage or any personal belongings on an aircraft when you disembark or if you leave any belongings in the airport terminal or member lounge.

13. Refusal of Entry and Fines

If you are refused permission to enter a country and a government or government authority orders us to return you to your place of origin or remove you to another country, you must pay for:

• any detention costs; and
• the return or other fare.

We will not refund the fare for carrying you to the place where you were denied entry but we may set off the value of any unused Flight Coupons against the amount of that return or other fare.

If we are ordered to pay any fine or penalty at any time, or incur any expense, costs, loss or damage ("losses") by reason of you being denied entry into any country, or because of your failure to comply with any law, regulation, order or requirement, or because of your behaviour, health or medical condition, you must reimburse us for all losses plus all legal costs and other expenses reasonably incurred.

International Carriage is governed by the Convention, where applicable, or under applicable laws where the Convention does not apply. Where your travel is wholly within Solomon Island with no international sectors, it is subject to the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 2008).

Under the Convention or applicable laws, our liability may be limited in respect of death or injury, Baggage or delay.

15.1 Exclusions

Other than as specified in these Conditions of Carriage or applicable laws, we exclude all liability for any costs, expenses, losses or damages whatsoever that may arise in any way in connection with the carriage.

15.2 Negligence by You

If any damage was caused or contributed to by you, our liability may be reduced in accordance with applicable laws.

15.3 Death or Injury or Delay

(a) International Carriage

Where your journey involves International Travel, then the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention may govern and limit our liability for personal injury or death and for Loss of or damage to Baggage, as follows:

(a) For bodily injury or death:

i. where the Montreal Convention applies, if we prove that your bodily injury or death was not due to our negligence or wrongful conduct, or was solely due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of a third party, then our liability is limited to 113,100 Special Drawing Rights; and

ii. where the Warsaw Convention applies, 125,000 francs.

The value of a Special Drawing Right on a particular day is the sum fixed and published on the official website of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for that day. The value of a franc is determined by reference to the rate of 6.55957 francs for 1 euro.
 

 (b) Solomon Islands domestic travel

Where your travel is wholly within Solomon Island and is not International Carriage, our liability for your bodily injury or death is limited to AU$725,000.

 (d) General

We are not responsible for any illness, injury or disability, including death, attributable to your physical condition, except to the extent that any applicable law requires otherwise.

15.4 Damage to Your Baggage

(a) General

We will be liable only for damage or delay occurring during carriage ticketed on our Airline Designator Code. If we issue a Ticket or check Baggage on the Airline Designator Code of another Carrier, we only do so as agent for that Carrier.
We are not liable for any damage to your Cabin Baggage to the extent caused or contributed to by your negligence.
We are not liable for any damage caused by your Baggage. You are responsible for any damage caused by your Baggage to other persons or property, including our property.
All damaged baggage must be reported to our representative at the airport on arrival.  If you don’t tell us on arrival, you need to let us know within 7days of your flight.

(b) International Carriage

Where your travel is International Carriage and a Convention applies, our liability for damage to Checked Baggage is limited by the Convention except where you prove that the damage resulted from an act or failure to act either done with the intention to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result.
Our liability for loss of, damage to, or delay in the carriage of, your Baggage is limited by the applicable Convention as follows:

Montreal Convention 1999 - 1,131 SDRs (about AU$1,735) cumulative for both Checked Baggage and Cabin Baggage. In the case of Checked Baggage, we will not be liable if the Baggage was defective, unless Article 22.5 of the Montreal 1999 Convention applies in which case these limits do not apply. We will only be liable for Cabin Baggage if we were at fault
Conventions other than the Montreal Convention 1999 - 250 francs (about AU$30) for each kilo of your Checked Baggage affected or 5,000 francs (about AU$600) for your Cabin Baggage, unless Article 25 of the Warsaw Convention applies, in which case these limits do not apply.

However, if the law which applies provides for different limits of liability, those different limits will apply.

For the purpose of determining our liability (if any), we will presume the weight of your Checked Baggage is not more than the applicable Baggage Allowance for the relevant class of carriage, unless you have a receipt from us or our Authorised Agent showing otherwise.

 (c) Solomon Islands domestic travel

Where your travel is wholly within Solomon Islands and is not International Carriage, our liability for loss or damage is limited to USD600 per Passenger for your Checked Baggage and USD100 per Passenger for your Cabin Baggage.

15.5 General

We are not liable for any damage arising from our compliance with any laws or government regulations or your failure to comply with the same.

These Conditions of Carriage (including any exclusion or limitation of liability) apply to and are for the benefit of our Authorised Agents, employees and representatives to the same extent as they apply to us. The total amount that you can recover from us, our Authorised Agents, employees and representatives will not be more than the total amount of our liability, if any.

Except where these Conditions of Carriage provide otherwise, our liability, if any, is limited to proven compensatory damages.

Nothing in these Conditions of Carriage:

except where we state otherwise in writing, gives up any exclusion or limitation of liability to which we are entitled under the Convention or any laws which may apply, or
gives up any defence available to us under the Convention or any laws which apply, including against any public social insurance body or any person liable to pay, or who has paid, compensation for the death, wounding or other bodily injury of a Passenger.

16.1 Personal Injury or Death Claims

If you have a claim for personal injury; or your personal representative has a claim for your death, you or your personal representative, as applicable, should notify us in writing as soon as possible.

16.2 Baggage Claims

If the person with a Baggage receipt receives Checked Baggage without making a complaint, it will be reasonable evidence that the Checked Baggage was delivered in good condition, unless proven otherwise. We will not be liable for normal wear and tear of Baggage such as small scratches, scuffs, dents and cuts.

All damaged baggage must be reported to our representative at the airport on arrival. If you don’t tell us at the airport, you need to let us know within 7 days of your arrival. 

16.3 Clothing Damage

Any incident involving damage to your clothing worn or taken into the aircraft cabin must be immediately reported to our cabin crew.

16.4 Limitation of claims

Unless your right to claim for damages has expired earlier as provided elsewhere in these Conditions of Carriage, you will have no right to claim for damages if court proceedings are not brought within two years from:

• the date of your arrival at your destination
• the date the aircraft should have arrived, or
• the date on which your carriage stopped.

The method of calculating the period of limitation will be determined by the law of the court where the case is heard.