Solomon Airlines has been granted an International Airline Licence by Papua New Guinea’s Department of Transport, clearing the way for the airline to commence direct services between Port Moresby and Honiara.
The licence was formally presented on 12 June 2026 by Papua New Guinea Secretary for Transport, Matthew Wowoni, to Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency William Soaki, who received the document on behalf of Solomon Airlines during a handover ceremony in Port Moresby.
The approval marks a significant milestone in strengthening aviation connectivity and economic cooperation between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, two of Melanesia’s closest neighbours.
Speaking at the ceremony, High Commissioner Soaki welcomed the issuance of the licence, describing it as a timely development amid growing travel demand between the two countries.
“The commercial licence comes at an important moment, as we observe a steady increase in passenger movement between our two capitals, reflecting deepening people-to-people links, growing business engagement, and expanding regional cooperation,” he said.
High Commissioner Soaki emphasized the strategic importance of the route, noting that improved air connectivity would benefit both nations through increased trade, tourism, and investment opportunities.
“This route is strategically significant not only for the mobility of our citizens, but also in supporting trade, tourism and investment,” he said.
He further highlighted the strong economic relationship between the two countries, noting that Solomon Islands hosts one of the largest concentrations of Papua New Guinean investment abroad.
“The activation of this traffic right will therefore contribute directly to strengthening economic integration and fostering closer ties between our private sectors and communities,” he added.
Secretary for Transport Matthew Wowoni also welcomed the development, saying the granting of the licence represents an important step in enhancing aviation links between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
The new service is expected to facilitate greater movement of people, goods, and services between the two countries while supporting broader regional integration objectives.
Solomon Airlines is scheduled to operate its inaugural flight to Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby on 30 June 2026 under the newly approved licence.
Meanwhile, officials from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are continuing preparations for the next round of bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) review meetings, which are tentatively scheduled to be held in Papua New Guinea in early August.
The launch of the direct air service is expected to further strengthen diplomatic, commercial, and people-to-people ties between the two Melanesian nations, while creating new opportunities for tourism, business, and investment across the region.
