OUR STORY

SOLOMON AIRLINES

THE NATIONAL AIRLINE OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

WHY THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

SEEK THE UNEXPLORED!

• World Class Diving

• Surfing Utopia

• Fascinating Culture

• Romance

• Rich in History

• Diverse Flora & Fauna

• Wide variety Bird life

• Adventure

OVERVIEW

Population

560,000Approximately

Capital & Largest City

Honiara (HIR)Population

about 70,000

Languages

English Many Native languages &

dialects about 65. Most

commonly spoken is

Pijin

Weather

Enjoy average temperatures

of 70-80s. Tropical climate

(opposite seasons to

the US)

US Visa Requirement

No Visa required for US citizens

WHERE ARE THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

The amazing Solomon Islands are an archipelago of 992 islands in the South Pacific.

*Green below is hours to destination and blue is number of inflight meals away.

OUR HOME

WHERE ARE THE SOLOMON ISLANDSLocated in the South Pacific, 3 hours Northeast from Australia, consisting of six major islands and

over 900 smaller islands and is divided up into 9 Provinces. In Oceania lying to the east of Papua

New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of 11,000sq mi. The country's

capital, Honiara is located on the island of Guadalcanal.

WHERE TO GO9 Provinces

• Choiseul

• Western

• Isabel

• Malaita

• Guadalcanal

• Rennell and Bellona

• Makira

• Temotu

• Central

WHEN TO GO

• The climate is tropical with an average temperature of around 80 degrees

• June - August are slightly cooler and drier (winter)

• November - April can be hotter and wetter. When it rains the most

• Very Humid equatorial climate, Southern Hemisphere opposite to US seasons

• Annual rainfall about 120 inches

Weather

THE PEOPLE

When Spanish explorer Mendaña visited the Solomon Islands in 1568, he found some gold at the Mataniko River.

He thought that this could be one of the locations in which King Solomon (the Israelite monarch) obtained gold for his temple in Jerusalem. Mendaña then named the islands after King Solomon thus “Solomon Islands”.

Comprised mostly of Melanesians with the rest of the population consisting of Polynesians, Micronesians, and small pockets of Chinese and Europeans.

Most of the population 85% live in villages.

Only about 15% are found in the urban centers.

British and Australian companies began large scale coconut plantations on the islands and at around the same period missionaries arrived, converting many Solomon Islanders to Christianity.

A rise in nationalist sentiment following WWII eventually led to the country's independence in 1978.

History

WORLD WAR II PAST

• The Solomon Islands were the scene of fierce fighting in World War II the 1940s. The most famous was the Battle of Guadalcanal.

• Local guides offer memorable and moving tours to the WW II museum and other significant sites including the American memorial at Skyline Ridge and the Japanese Solomons Peace memorial.

• Many of the battle sites remain virtually untouched and you can still find artifacts strewn about from rusting jeeps, tanks and amphibious vehicles lying buried in the jungle to foxholes and caves that were used as Japanese observation points and hiding places.

• Many of the WWII relics remaining in the Solomons lie submerged, some deep under water and include oil tankers, seaplanes and submarines. A few can be snorkelled, just a short distance from shore while others are only accessible by experienced divers.

History

LOCAL CULTUREIf you like, visit the villages in the outer islands and

step back in time. Experience life much as it was a

hundred years ago. No electricity, no internet, no

running water supply, no shops, few roads. And no

noise - except for the sound of the waves!

The Solomon Islands is known for its finely made,

intricately designed handmade crafts. Beautiful

traditional style carvings, baskets and jewelry as well

as modern paintings can be purchased at markets

and villages throughout the Solomons and viewed at

the National Art Gallery in Honiara.

The Solomon Islands are dotted with archaeological

monuments including ancient ceremonial shrines.

For the curious adventurers there are opportunities to

visit and learn about ancient hillforts high on the

mountains, headhunting or skull shrines and other

sites of important legends.

CUISINE & MUSIC

Typical food eaten in the Solomons includes fish, chicken, pork, coconut, sweet potatoes and taro.

The country's main food market is the Central Market in Honiara. A hub of noise and color, the market has a huge selection of fish and fresh produce brought in from outlying islands.

Traditional music in the Solomons includes slit drum and bamboo panpipe ensembles.

The conch shell is an instrument used widely across the Pacific, including the Solomons. It is used as a traditional form of trumpet, summoning people to gather and signalling the start of important events.

FLORA & FAUNA• The rich volcanic soils support a

magnificent, dense tropical forest.

• 4,500 plant species

• Estimated that 3,200 are native to the

Solomon Islands.

• New plants are being found all the time.

• Among those plants found solely in the

Solomons are several species of Palms,

Orchids, Begonia and Ginger plants.

• More than 230 varieties of flowering

plants brighten the forest environment.

• There are at least 173 different species

of birds.

ACTIVITIES

Scuba Diving: “The Amazon of the Oceans”

Under the water, the islands have one of the highest diversities of coral and fish species anywhere in the world including several that are new to science.

Almost 500 species of hard and soft Corals have been found to form the of reefs in the Solomons.

These reefs absolutely teem with life, from Titan Trigger fish, Green and Orange Neon Slugs and superbly colored Sea Fans to the full food chain of creatures including large schools of Jacks and Barracuda, all the way up to the cruising Grey Reef Sharks.

The Solomon's underwater realm provide spawning grounds and migratory routes for 1000 reef fish species, Dolphins, Rays, Sharks, and six of the world's seven species of Marine Turtles, to name a few.

Unique opportunities to snorkel amongst Shipwrecks from WW2 relics like Seaplanes and Submarines.

Under the Water

ACTIVITIES

Surfing

A Surfers Playground, from avid to beginner you can surf the North or South Shore, uncrowded with great giant breaks

Sailing

The peaceful turquoise waters welcome you to a rustic experience on an Outrigger or kayak, or perhaps a modern sailboat or yacht.

Fishing

Charter companies can help you catch the best the Solomon Islands have to offer. They provide excellent year round fishing conditions for Anglers of all levels of experience.

Catches include Yellow Fin Tuna, Trevally, Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin, Barracuda, Mahi Mahi and Spanish Mackeral.

On the Water

ACTIVITIES

A simple Romantic Getaway

Imagine a honeymoon, wedding at

a romantic retreat at one of the

Solomon's exotic resorts.

Peaceful, relaxing, remote and

private, you can expect idyllic

scenery and great service.

Perfect for anniversaries or

celebrations

SOLOMON ISLANDS TOURISM BOARD

PLEASE VISIT THEIR WONDERFUL WEBSITE:

http://www.visitsolomons.com.sb/

• Sample Trips and itineraries

• Hotels and Accommodations

• Planning your visit

• Planning Checklist

• How to get there

• How to get around

• Watch Videos, find great pictures

• Helpful tips

• Travel hints

• Monthly Newsletter

SOLOMON AIRLINES

WELKAMS YOU ON BOARD!

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

Henderson International

Airport in Honiara is our

home (HIR).

Solomon Airlines is the

official international carrier of

the Solomon Islands.

We are IOSA accredited and

we fly domestically and

internationally.

OUR HOME

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

Solomon Airlines operates a mix

of different aircraft including our

newly upgraded A320 for

international routes.

A fleet of smaller aircraft are

specifically suited to our network

of domestic routes.

They provide enjoyable flying to

a range of island destinations

that both locals and world

travellers are seeking.

OUR FLEET: 5 AIRCRAFT

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORYOUR FLEET A320

Our flagship A320 flies our

international routes including

Sydney, Brisbane, Port Vila

and Nadi.

You’ll be given a “Warm

Welkam” as you board and

comfortably settle into our

economy or business class

seating.

In-flight you’ll enjoy full

service all the way on our

international routes

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

OUR FLEET DASH 8

Solomon Airlines Dash 8

currently operates services

between Honiara and two of our

larger islands.

Gizo. Daily flights between Gizo

and Honiara, connecting to

international flights. Takes about

one and a half hours.

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

Solomon Airlines Twin Otter

operates services to all 9

provinces across the Solomon

Islands.

Our De Havilland Twin Otter

aircraft comfortably seats 18

people.

Our Islander aircraft also fly to all

9 provinces and are ideal for

many of our island strips.

OUR FLEET TWIN OTTER & ISLANDER

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

All our international flights offer

full service and complimentary

beverages.

Economy Class offers a choice

of meals and you can choose

from a range of selected wines

and beers from Australia and

Solomon Islands.

Belama Class, our own

Business-First cabin, also offers

a range of complimentary soft

drinks, tea, coffee, premium

wine, cocktails and beer,

together with a choice of meals.

FULL SERVICE

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

Belama Club means access to our exclusive air-conditioned Belama Club Lounge at the Honiara International Airport.

And as a Belama Plus Member you’ll have access to the Tabua Lounge at Nadi Airport and the Executive Club of Air Niugini at Port Moresby.

In Sydney and Brisbane Belama Plus Members can access the Qantas Club Lounge.

BELAMA CLUB

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

A PROUD AIRLINE

Solomon Airlines is a proud airline

creating a real sense of belonging in

our community.

Our on-going domestic PR and

advertising campaigns will further

enhance the goodwill we are

enjoying.

“We go the extra mile in everything

we do”

WHERE WE FLY

DOMESTIC ROUTES Domestically, we carry some 65,000

passengers each year from Honiara to 19

destinations throughout our islands.

Our routes cater for local needs as well as

taking visitors to all the idyllic places that wait

to be discovered.

We fly to all the places you’ve read about

(and many you haven’t).

From Honiara to Choiseul Bay,

Ballalae, Gizo, Munda, Kagau,

Ramata, Seghe, Suavanao, Fera,

Auki, Atoifi, Afutara,

Arona, Santa Ana,

Kirakira, Santa Cruz,

Rennell, Bellona, Marau.

WHERE WE FLY

Internationally, we

fly to Nadi, Port Vila

and code share with

Air Niugini to Port

Morseby.

INTERNATIONAL

ROUTES

As a major development, we have exciting

things happening through our new code share

arrangements with Qantas between Sydney,

Brisbane and Honiara.

We fly 4 times

a week

between

Honiara and

Brisbane.

And now, we fly

direct from

Sydney every

Tuesday.

WHERE WE FLY

INTERLINE PARTNERSHIP

Qantas Interline arrangements

have opened Solomon Islands

globally as a seamlessly accessible

destination.

Now people can fly Qantas from

Perth, Adelaide, Canberra,

Melbourne, Hobart and Cairns to

Sydney or Brisbane then through to

Honiara with Solomon Airlines.

…one ticket with through checked-

in baggage.

WHERE WE FLY

Interline international services

connect Sydney or Brisbane with:

• Canada

• Dubai

• France

• Germany

• Hong Kong

• Japan

• Malaysia

• New Zealand

• Philippines

• Singapore

• UK

• USA

• Plus other destinations

QANTAS INTERLINE

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

WHERE WE FLY

Interline international services

from Air New Zealand connect

to:

• Sydney

• Brisbane

• Nadi

• Port Vila

• Plus other destinations

AIR NEW ZEALAND INTERLINE

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

TRAVEL AGENT SUPPORT

• Attention all travel agents: Solomon Airlines (IE) pays 5% commission on published fares!

• ARC Accredited, Eticketable in 1S, 1A, 1V, 1P

• Accepting VISA/MC/AMEX, cash and UATP cards

• Group bookings • Connection to the Tourism

Board• Non GDS users can make

bookings through our US Reservations Office

US LOCAL HELP DESK Solomon Airlines USA 420 Lexington Ave Ste 2523New York, NY 10170solomonairlines@airlinepros.com888-468-5736

SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY

With a history going

back to 1962, the future

is looking bright and

shaping up with exciting

opportunities for

Solomon Airlines.

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY

THANK YOU!

SOLOMON AIRLINES USA

Sascha Henckell

1-888-468-5736

www.flysolomons.com

solomonairlines@airlinepros.com