Domestic Airline Launched in Solomon Islands

Bob Keys, an Australian and ex-Cathay Pacific Airways 747 skipper, has launched a small domestic airline in the Solomon Islands, initially using a Beechcraft 18 and a Convair 580. According to Solomon Islands’ CAA principal flight standards officer, George Satu, Key’s airline, “Solomon Island Seaplanes” has been granted a temporary license to operate by the CAA, while its air operator’s certificate is being assigned.

Satu also says that while the carrier is currently only operating a Beechcraft 18 and a Convair 580 on domestic routes, it is in discussions to launch services between the Solomon Islands and Bougainville Island, and has a Grumman Goose seaplane undergoing maintenance in Wangaratta, Australia. The 1930s-vintage Grumman Goose is expected to arrive in the Solomon Islands in December of this year or January 2010.

There are currently two other domestic airlines intending to launch in the Solomon Islands, one of which is owned by former chairman of Solomon Airlines, currently the main domestic carrier, Michael Mainer. Gary Clifford, the managing director of cargo carrier Pacific Air Express, also plans on introducing a domestic airline, although according to Satu, whilst these two ventures were reported early last year, neither airline has secured aircraft or an air operator’s certificate, and therefore launch dates of these two airlines are uncertain.