High Commissioner Soaki and Secretary Wowoni with the International Airline License issued by the PNG Department of Transport
High Commissioner Soaki receives license for Solomon Airlines service to Port Moresby
The Solomon Islands High Commission in Papua New Guinea is pleased to announce that Solomon Airlines has been granted an International Airline Licence by the Papua New Guinea Department of Transport, authorising the airline to operate services on the Honiara–Port Moresby–Honiara route.
The licence was formally presented on 12 June 2026 by Papua New Guinea’s Secretary for Transport, Mr Matthew Wowoni, to the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency William Soaki who received the licence on behalf of Solomon Airlines during a brief handover ceremony in Port Moresby.
Speaking at the ceremony, High Commissioner Soaki welcomed the issuance of the licence, describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening connectivity and cooperation between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
“The commercial licence comes at an important moment, as we observe a steady increase in passenger movement between our two capitals, reflecting deepening people-to-people links, growing business engagement, and expanding regional cooperation,” High Commissioner Soaki said.
He noted that the route carries considerable strategic importance for both countries.
“This route is strategically significant not only for the mobility of our citizens, but also in supporting trade, tourism and investment.
Solomon Islands hosts one of the largest concentrations of Papua New Guinea investment abroad.
“The activation of this traffic right will therefore contribute directly to strengthening economic integration and fostering closer ties between our private sectors and communities,” he said.
Secretary Wowoni also welcomed the development, stating that the granting of the licence marks an important step in strengthening aviation links between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
The issuance of the licence represents another positive milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two neighbouring Melanesian countries and is expected to facilitate greater movement of people, goods and services while supporting broader economic and regional integration objectives.
Solomon Airlines is scheduled to operate its inaugural flight under the new licence to Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby on 30 June 2026.
Meanwhile, senior officials from both countries are continuing preparations for the next round of bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) review meetings, tentatively scheduled for early August in Papua New Guinea.
–MFAET PRESS RELEASE