By Alfred Sasako
AFTER being absent for months, the national carrier’s big bird is back in the air but not without costs.
The Airbus A320 aircraft flew into Honiara last Saturday after sitting in Singapore for months, waiting for parts. Now that the refit is completed, the aircraft, the biggest in Solomon Airlines’ fleet is now on its normal overseas runs, particularly between Brisbane and Honiara.
Island Sun understands that Solomon Airlines made two large payments last December and again earlier this year for the lease of the aircraft.
During its absence, Solomon Airlines leased a smaller aircraft, which restricted cargo capacity, which angered many passengers, particularly the business houses.
Now that it is back in the air, it will greatly assist in uplifting life-saving drugs for the National Referral Hospital.
Alfred Sasako snapped these photos as the Airbus A320 was on the tarmac at Henderson International Airport last Sunday, being prepared for its Brisbane-bound flight.
