Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for an urgent overhaul of Solomon Airlines, saying the national carrier has lacked a clear vision for years and must adopt a more strategic approach to ensure its long-term viability.
Wale, accompanied by Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, met with the airline's board and management on Friday and stressed the need for sweeping reforms to improve the carrier's performance and financial sustainability.
The Prime Minister said the government could no longer continue providing financial support without seeing meaningful progress.
"We want Solomon Airlines to succeed, but we must act decisively. You need to think big and stop undermining the industry," Wale said.
He identified several areas requiring immediate attention, including expanding aircraft capacity on domestic routes, strengthening airlift services, improving flight reliability, lowering domestic and international airfares, and enhancing customer service.
"Domestic airfares are too high, freight costs are excessive and flight schedules are inconsistent. These are issues that must be addressed," he said.
Wale also criticised the airline for lacking a clear strategic roadmap and urged its leadership to undertake substantial reforms to reposition the carrier for future growth.
Lilo echoed the Prime Minister's concerns and challenged the airline's leadership to develop a coherent plan for its future.
"So where do we begin?" the Finance Minister asked during the meeting.
He also encouraged Solomon Airlines to pursue strategic partnerships that could bolster its financial and operational capabilities.
"We need partners with deep financial capacity. I agree with the Prime Minister that you must think big and be strategic," Lilo said.
Acting board chairman Baoro Laxton Koraua acknowledged the concerns raised by the government and said the airline had faced numerous internal and external challenges over the years.
Lilo confirmed that Solomon Airlines has been operating at a loss, particularly on domestic services, while continuing to face difficulties on its international routes.
"We have been making losses domestically and continue to face significant challenges on our international routes," he said.
Koraua agreed that restructuring was necessary and said the airline must develop a clear vision aligned with national priorities and the broader interests of the Solomon Islands.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Wale and Lilo directed the airline's board and management to prepare and present a comprehensive strategic plan outlining the carrier's future direction and reform agenda.
The government has indicated that the proposed plan will be crucial in determining the next steps for the state-owned airline as it seeks to address operational challenges and improve service delivery.
