Solomon Airlines chases Asia growth through Port Moresby hub

By Andrew Curran.

Solomon Airlines wants to build a network hub at Port Moresby (POM) to funnel passenger traffic to and from Asia. In addition to its existing codeshare and interline agreement with Air Niugini, Solomon Airlines has recently announced agreements with Philippine Airlines and China Southern Airlines to connect passengers through Port Moresby.

The strategy offers an alternative to routing passengers through Brisbane (BNE) when travelling to and from Honiara (HIR). However, the state-owned airline is actively seeking new opportunities and revenue streams to counter long-term passenger declines on some of its traditional international routes, including its flagship Brisbane–Honiara service.

In the past six months, Solomon Airlines has increased frequencies on the Espiritu Santo (SON) – Brisbane and Port Vila (VLI) – Auckland (AKL) routes, restarted flights between Honiara and Port Vila, and launched services on the Port Vila – Christchurch (CHC) and Honiara – Port Moresby routes.

Recently appointed Solomon Airlines CEO Matthew Findlay said the carrier wanted to connect the Solomon Islands “one relationship at a time”.

“Air travel is efficient, and it brings us closer,” he said on LinkedIn. “It creates tourism connections, and the visitor economy generates real value: tourists visit, but they are often involved in commerce themselves and may return as investors.”

Alternatives to flying through Brisbane

Solomon Airlines has traditionally connected passengers to the world through Brisbane, which it serves from Honiara five times a week. However, the route, on which the airline previously enjoyed a monopoly, is now also serviced by Qantas.

Making the route even more challenging, passenger traffic is declining. In 2019, 52,071 passengers travelled on the Brisbane – Honiara city pair. By 2025, that figure had fallen to 39,722 following declines in both 2023 and 2024.

Brisbane Airport handled around 25 million passengers during the 2025 calendar year and is served by 31 airlines flying to 62 domestic and 32 international destinations.

Port Moresby Airport is much smaller, processing approximately 1.68 million passengers last year. It is served by six airlines operating to 18 domestic and nine international destinations. While developing Port Moresby as a hub may offer a first-mover advantage, it is also a untested strategy.

However, Solomon Airlines has a longstanding codeshare and interline agreement with Air Niugini, which operates services from Port Moresby to Hong Kong (HKG), Tokyo Narita (NRT), Manila (MNL) and Singapore (SIN).

New agreements with China Southern and Philippine Airlines

In April, Solomon Airlines announced the appointment of a general sales agent in China to work with local partners, including China Southern Airlines, to promote the Solomon Islands as an emerging destination. China Southern Airlines operates three weekly flights between Guangzhou (CAN) and Port Moresby.

Yesterday, July 13, Solomon Airlines announced an interline agreement and technical integration with Philippine Airlines, allowing passengers to travel between Honiara and Manila via Port Moresby and Brisbane. Philippine Airlines flies daily to Port Moresby.

Findlay said the agreement with Philippine Airlines was “testament to our commitment to growing our footprint in Asia”.

“We are removing the friction from international travel and creating new pathways to and from the Pacific Islands,” he said.

Underpinning these arrangements is a new Solomon Airlines operated weekly A320-200 service between Honiara and Port Moresby. The inaugural flight operated on July 7 and is timed to connect with partner airline services from Port Moresby.

Findlay said the new partnerships present opportunities in both directions. They provide Solomon Islanders with additional travel options while also making it easier for overseas visitors to reach the Solomon Islands.

Commenting on the strengthening relationship with China Southern Airlines and the new same-day Honiara – Port Moresby – Guangzhou connection, Findlay said it was “an opportunity for China Southern Airlines to offer their passengers something truly extraordinary: world-class diving, living history, and a Pacific destination unlike any other. And as the second-largest and fastest-growing visitor market… it just makes sense.”

“Aviation drives tourism,” he added. “Tourism drives economies. And routes like this one are how small island nations compete on the world stage.”

However, the strategy remains a balancing act. While Solomon Airlines is keen to grow passenger traffic, it is constrained by the availability of hotel accommodation and visitor infrastructure in Honiara and elsewhere across the Solomon Islands. It also has only two A320-200s available to operate its international network.

During the final three months of 2025, almost 15,500 people flew into the Solomon Islands. Nearly 53% were foreign visitors. Australians accounted for more than 28% of those visitors, while China was the second-largest source market at 12.2%, followed by the rest of Asia at 8.3%. Solomon Airlines carried around one-third of all passengers.

Photo: Solomon Airlines.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com