Solomon Airways has accused Qantas of attempting to push it out of the Brisbane–Honiara route because the Flying Kangaroo seems to broaden companies.
In a submission to the Worldwide Air Providers Fee (IASC), the Solomon Islands’ flag service mentioned that whereas Brisbane-Honiara is the “largest worldwide route” for the Solomons and a “vital contributor to the general improvement of the nation”, passenger numbers stay low.
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Qantas is in search of to function an additional weekly Honiara service utilizing wet-leased Alliance E190s beginning 29 March, which might take its weekly flights to the Solomons from 4 to 5.
“While outlining the significance of the route, it’s acknowledged that the route visitors numbers are insignificant in comparison with most different routes internationally and have proven no submit COVID return to pre-COVID ranges and in reality have declined and proceed to take action,” wrote Solomon Airways CEO Paul Abbot.
“Given the state of the present market and its possible place within the quick to medium time period, the extra service would seem like a cynical try to dump capability on a struggling route with the intention to finally cut back competitors by driving out the one different participant out there.”
Solely 39,722 passengers travelled on the route in 2025, in response to figures from Solomon Airways, properly down from 52,071 in 2019, with 2023–24 additionally exhibiting a progressive drop in visitors. Australian travellers alone dropped by 7.9 per cent from 2023 to 2024.
“The market has not grown and in reality is in decline, and there may be little probability that this case will change, given the Solomon Islands tourism product providing is underdeveloped and isn’t succesful to help and improve the variety of guests, and there may be additionally no industrial exercise of word which might drive elevated journey,” wrote Abbot.
Whereas Qantas previously codeshared with Solomon Airways on the route, the Flying Kangaroo launched its personal service after the deal led to 2023 that “merely … observe[ed] the [Solomon Airlines] schedule and timings”, in response to Abbot.
Each Qantas and Solomon Airways at the moment fly between Brisbane and Honiara on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with Solomon Airways additionally flying on Saturdays and Qantas on Sundays.
“There is no such thing as a improve in schedule selection for travellers with each carriers working the identical days and normally the identical timings,” wrote Abbot.
“Qantas would recommend the addition of the fifth service would supply this selection, however given each carriers are working in a stagnant and declining market, the extra service won’t develop the market however will merely cannibalise present companies.
“Because of the energy of the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme and the airline’s entry to Australian primarily based company and authorities contracts, Qantas takes a disproportionate share of the upper yielding market segments, which has eroded the viability of the route from a Solomon Airways perspective.”
Moreover, Abbott instructed the IASC that permitting Qantas to extend flights would have “critical implications for the way forward for home aviation and connectivity throughout the Solomon Islands”, with Solomon Airways at the moment serving 23 ports domestically across the nation.
“Because of the nice distances wanted to be flown and the small quantity of people that fly (home travellers whole lower than 50,000), the size doesn’t exist to mount a viable home operation,” he wrote.
“The worldwide routes, and the federal government of the Solomon Islands, subsidise the home operation which then permits for the supply to the nation of the much-needed connectivity.
“Ought to the worldwide operation be pressured to downsize or stop operations the consequence for home travellers could be catastrophic, as for many ports there are not any different journey choices aside from open sea journey in small craft.
“Solomon Airways respectfully requests that the appliance for elevated companies by Qantas on the Brisbane to Honiara route be rejected primarily based on nationwide curiosity for the individuals of the Solomon Islands and the way forward for home Solomon Island operations, [and] a cynical try utilizing market place to finally cut back competitors leading to an absence of aggressive choices.”
Qantas is working with the IASC on the method.
