Solomon Airlines To Commence Direct Flights From Brisbane To Vanuatu’s Espiritu Santo Island

Solomon Airlines will commence a weekly direct flight from Brisbane to Vanuatu’s Espiritu Santo island from Thursday 4th July, with the 2-hour 50-minute non-stop service reopening an important direct route 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. The Solomon Airlines service will provide a direct route for passengers and air freight including Australian leisure travellers.

Solomon Airlines said the non-stop service from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo, is a welcome addition to the airline’s growing Pacific network and Vanuatu schedule.
From 4th July, Solomon Airlines will operate the following services between Brisbane and Vanuatu:

Departing Brisbane:

• Monday and Wednesday: Brisbane-Honiara- Port Vila
• Thursday: Brisbane-Espiritu Santo

Departing Vanuatu: 

• Tuesday and Thursday: Port Vila-Honiara-Brisbane
• Thursday: Espiritu Santo-Port Vila-Brisbane

On 12 June, Solomon Airlines also commenced two return flights weekly between Honiara, Port Vila and Auckland, New Zealand.

“The news of greater connectivity to Vanuatu, thanks to Solomon Airlines, will be widely celebrated by the tourism industry here in Vanuatu, especially our industry partners in Santo,” said Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO, Adela Issachar Aru.

“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. 

“Espiritu Santo is 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.” 

“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 non-stop flights between Brisbane and Espiritu Santo will depart every Thursday from 4th July, as Flight IE726 at 9.00am, arriving in Santo Pekoa International Airport 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.