Solomon Airlines

Beginnings

Little did Laurie Crowley realise some 30 years ago that the humble beginnings of his self-initiated charter service for the Solomon Islands would become an international world-class operation, serving not only the Solomon Islands but Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji.

The Solomon Islands, once notorious for the cannibal-inclined people who did not welcome any visitors, even those bearing gifts, is a large volcanic group about 500mi (800km) east of New Guinea. Formerly a British protectorate, it is now a sovereign nation, having obtained its independence in 1978 as a member of the Commonwealth.

Better known for his exploits in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Crowley started to provide a regular charter service with a Piper Aztec in 1962. At that time, no aircraft were based permanently in the Solomons and a decision was reached to form a new airline, named Megapode Airways, which would operate from a well-known wartime strip, Henderson Field, at Honiara, on Guadalcanal.

The airline derived its name from the birds of the megapodiidae family, large footed birds, some of which hatch their eggs by laying them in deep warm sand in some parts of the Solomons. Unlike other birds, the young are able to fly within a few hours of hatching.

A de Havilland Dove 6, previously with the British Ministry of Aviation, was acquired in Adelaide and, after a complete overhaul, began a regular service to principal ports in the region, the first RPT (Regular Public Transport) service for the island nation since the war. At this time, only seven or eight airstrips existed or were under construction discounting the many rough fighter strips built during the Second World War, most of which were then reverting to the jungle form which they had been cut. Points served by the Dove were Auki, on Malaita Island, Munda and Segi Point (Seghe), on New Georgia; Kirakira, on San Cristobal; and Yandina in the Russell Islands.

In June 1968, Macair, an operator in PNG, purchased Megapode Airways from Laurie Crowley. The latter's Dove was barely airworthy and the new owners dry-leased another example; the original aircraft was cannibalised for spares. A change of name to Solomon Island Airways, usually referred to as SOLAIR, was also instigated. The original founder of Macair, Bryan McCook, continued to run the operation from Honiara. However, during the late sixties and early seventies another charter operation Talair, began to emerge in the Pacific region. With a takeover bid of Macair by Talair successfully completed in 1975, the Solomons-based airline once again had new owners. As Macair had just been given operating rights between Honiara and Kieta, on Bougainville, PNG, SOLAIR became the smallest international airline in the world. At this stage the airline was operating two Doves and two Beech Barons.

A New Fleet

The following year saw a significant change of fleet types. Both Doves were retired and a nine-passenger Beech Queen Air 80 and the successful workhorse of the Pacific region, the Britten-Norman Islander, were introduced. One Baron was retained and the Solomon Islands government became directly involved by purchasing 49% of the airline's shares. At the time of acquiring the interest in SOLAIR, the government established the right to purchase, within five years, the remaining 51% for an agreed price plus a sum representing goodwill to be negotiated between the parties at the time of the purchase.

Within five years, SOLAIR was truly established as the nation's carrier. The introduction of a 19-seat Fairchild Metro turboprop provided the first real international service for the airline. It flew twice-weekly to Kieta and to Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides), and also provided domestic services from Honiara to Munda and the Santa Cruz Islands. By 1984, the government decided it wanted 100% ownership of the airline; however, agreement on the valuation of the goodwill was not reached until three years later. At this stage, two Twin Otters and a Bandeirante, leased from parent Talair, were on regular routes.

Under New Ownership

At the time of the takeover, staff morale was at its lowest ebb and there had been constant turnover of personnel, including the management. At one stage, three general managers within a twelve-month period did not foster a feeling of stability and accumulated losses were discovered to be higher than envisaged.

Under the direction of government-appointed representatives, the airline began a period of reconstruction, reorganisation and long term future planning. One of the earliest decisions was to invest $2 million to buy two Series 300 Twin Otters, aimed at improving reliability and frequency. Unfortunately these basic requirements had been damaged by the airline operating in a charter mode rather than as a regular transport system. The Baron was also replaced by a Piper Aztec with six seats instead of four. Other changes included the recruitment of management executives and, most significantly, the replacement of the SOLAIR identity. A newly designed livery of blue, yellow and green (the national colours) was promoted along with a new name, Solomon Airlines.

Conscious of a national need to promote tourism, the airline established a joint venture with the Australian flag carrier, QANTAS and took over the busy Honiara-Brisbane route previously operated by the Fijian airline, Air Pacific. Air Pacific's Boeing 737 was leased to operate the flights and the Solomon Airlines logo was carried on the side of the aircraft. This service contributed significantly to the airline's revenue. Air Pacific's weekly Nadi-Honiara service also became a new opportunity for joint participation, with Solomon Airlines taking 15 seats aboard each flight for sale in its own name.

Jet Service

When, in 1989, Air Pacific advised it was in the process of acquiring a Boeing 767 as a replacement for its 737, Solomon Airlines brought forward plans to provide its own service on its international routes. The airline's boldest but necessary step forward was the decision to lease a 737-200 from International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC). Previously with Malaysia Airlines, the aircraft was ferried to New Zealand for repainting and refurbishing.

A growing need to provide more seats and to further promote interest in the Solomons meant that previous arrangements were not always to the airline's benefit, and the option of starting significant services linking the Solomons to Australia and other areas of the Pacific became obligatory. From this move new opportunities have developed, especially in air cargo, such as exports of fresh fish and lobster for the dining tables of Australia and New Zealand.

Fitted with 12 business-class and 86 economy seats, the 737-200 painted simply with 'Solomons' titles began services from Honiara to Auckland, Nadi, Port Vila (Vanuatu), Port Moresby, Cairns and Brisbane. On all these routes except those to Australia, the seating capacity was shared between Solomon Airlines and the designated carrier of the destination countries. A new service to Nuku'alofa, Tonga, was also inaugurated in conjunction with Royal Tongan Airlines, taking over a wet-lease arrangement previously operated by Niue Airlines. On these flights a Tongan public relations consultant was seconded to assist the Solomons cabin crew.

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Email Solomon Airlines Date last updated 01 September, 2007