PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, November 17) – A new airline that promises to deliver effective and cheap airfares was launched in Honiara last night.

And without delay it has delivered the promise last night.

Our Airline, formerly Air Nauru, has returned to the skies with a stunning package offer of just SBD$2240 [US$321.44] return airfare to Brisbane/ Honiara.

The cheap airfare has already caused anxiety for Solomon Airlines - whose fares far more expensive than the Nauru based airline.

Minister for Communications and Aviation Patrick Vahoe who was at the launch said it was a government policy to open its skies for competition because at the end it is the people who will benefit.

Launching the Our Airlines last night, Nauru’s Minister of Health, Sport and Transport Dr Kieren Keke said the airline is affordable, provides connection and option for the Solomon Islands and the

region.

He said in today’s world the region’s smaller airlines should merge together rather than being heavily subsidized by the island governments.

However, he said, Our Airlines with its 35 years experience- and having gone through many chances-is confident it would be successful this round.

Dr Keke said the airline has cut down on many things because its fuel efficiency enables them to give cheaper fares.

He said Nauru would continue to develop cooperative partnerships with other Pacific Governments to provide expanding routes, services and options for Our

Airline and help guarantee that all Pacific Islands benefit from reliable services.

Hundreds of guests turned up at the launch last night with two winning tickets to fly to any destinations within the airline’s route.

One guest said at least ordinary Solomon Islanders could now afford to travel abroad something their very own airline has denied them from doing since its establishment.

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