-Second twin otter rejoins domestic service, set to improve Solomon Airlines’ flight schedules
BY JOSES SAREN
Solomon Airlines’ domestic service is set to improve with the return of the second twin otter plane from maintenance and repair.
Around three weeks the domestic service had operated with only one twin otter, leading to the airlines having to readjust schedules that affected passengers throughout the country.
Solomon Airlines CEO Matthew Findlay told Island Sun yesterday that the return of the second twin otter should restore some normalcy to the domestic service.
However, the absence of the Dash-8 remains a huge gap in the local service especially for the larger airports with more passengers.
Mr Findlay said they are working hard to hopefully have the Dash-8 return by late August, which also depends on how fast repair works will go.
With the return of the second twin otter, the backlog of waiting lists is expected to be cleared this coming week including a government delegation reportedly stranded in Temotu province and government delegations waiting to be deployed to the provinces.
Findlay said the second twin otter is set to resume service after a much-awaited new engine that arrived Thursday this week was installed in the plane followed by test runs.
Island Sun reported on July 15 the operation of the domestic service with only one twin otter following a growing number of complaints over cancelled flights and unannounced changes in time to schedules.
The woes of the domestic service began in April this year when the third twin otter had to be returned to its owner following the expiration of its lease.
A routine C-Check of the Dash-8 in April also uncovered many problems with the aircraft which offered unforeseen additional costs for repairs worth millions. Sources told Island Sun the SolAir was told to pay first before repair works begin. The Dash-8 today remains in Cairns, Australia awaiting repairs.
This left the domestic service with only two twin otters. Due to maintenance and repairs the local service was forced to run on only one twin otter aircraft reportedly three times, the last of which should end tomorrow with the return of the second twin otter.
In a statement to the paper on Monday this week, Solomon Airlines said it had to ‘dynamically’ manage its domestic schedule to accommodate maintenance needs.
“Safety is of paramount importance and our domestic flight operations are an extremely high priority, to support the movement of people and cargo throughout the Solomon Islands. We take our responsibility very seriously to address any maintenance issue that requires attention as swiftly as can be managed.”
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
