Dash 8 arrives in Solomons

THE much-awaited Dash 8 aircraft leased by Solomon Airlines from Airlines PNG arrived in the Solomon Islands on Sunday.
The aircraft, which arrived at the Honiara domestic terminal, was to start servicing domestic routes yesterday.
Solomon Airlines officials were on hand to witness the Dash 8’s arrival and greet the local crew on board.
The aircraft is being leased for two years and will provide domestic services on high demand routes.
A spokesperson for the airline said the aircraft was brought in to ease the demand during the peak Christmas and New Year season.
The aircraft will service the Western, Malaita, especially Auki, and the eastern part of the province in Kirakira and Lata.
It can carry 36 passengers and will have its own local crew working on board. As part of the service, three local flight attendants have been trained for about a month with Airlines PNG to familiarise themselves with the aircraft.
Two local pilots have also been trained to fly the aircraft. They have been undergoing training with Airlines PNG and in Brisbane.