Solomon Airlines is a small carrier that is based out of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. The airline itself is relatively small with their network mostly domestic but also reaching other small neighbouring countries as well as regular services to Australia and New Zealand. Solomon has a small fleet with an existing Airbus A320 as well as one Dash 8-100 and four DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft.  The airline recently took delivery of an A320 which will better assist in their network as the growth of travellers coming into the Solomon Islands continues to grow.

H4-SIB is an Airbus A320-200 which has had quite an interesting life already. The new aircraft will be a fantastic addition for the growing airline, and it’ll be utilized all the time as it will be a replacement.

Solomon Airlines Receives Their New Airbus A320

• The aircraft is nearly 15 years old, it was previously operated by Freedom Air International as ZK-OJK and was then transferred to TAM in 2006. After six years, the aircraft was operated by Air New Zealand as ZK-OJK before being leased to Solomon which was officially in February
• The aircraft is configured into two classes with business and economy class. There are 12 seats in business with the standard 2-2 layout, and economy features 132 seats in the usual 3 -3 layout
• H4-SIB is entering the fleet as their older aircraft, H4-BUS has been withdrawn from service.
• All of the seating for the aircraft was installed in Townsville

Per the CEO of Solomon Airlines, Brett Gebers:

“Growing interest in our destination from the Oceania and North American markets in particular is very encouraging,” he said.
“We have been very eager to secure and receive our new plane as this has been a big project for us and part of a longer term vision.  Reliable international air access and careful, sustainable tourism development go hand in hand and are of vital importance to the country’s future economy,”

“Many people across our Government, Solomon Airlines Board, our staff, partners and suppliers have been involved in the process of successfully obtaining this new aircraft and retiring our previous A320,”

“With interest in our destination increasing and infrastructure improving, this new aircraft is symbolic, makes economic sense, and is a step in the right direction as we continue to work together to strengthen our national carrier and provide quality air access to the Solomon Islands,”

Seat Dimensions

• Business Class – Each of the 12 business seats feature a pitch of 44-inches
• Economy Class – Each of the 132 seats features a pitch of 32-inches while the Belama Club seats (first row of economy) feature a pitch of 32-inches.

I’ve attached a video of that Solomon has put out giving you a walkthrough of the whole aircraft:

Overall

It’s always nice to see when an airline receives another aircraft into their fleet, and this one is vital for the carrier. I’ve been planning on trying them for some time and even had flights booked at one stage. This aircraft will give me a good chance to try it out and luckily, Brisbane has a service which is very convenient.