Solomon Airlines is set to enter the Tasman market, initially launching a Fri A320-200 service between Auckland and Brisbane from 21 Feb, and the carrier is ready to compete on the route. “We have to be aggressive and competitive,” says IE commercial manager John Wopereis. “There are quite a lot of big carriers on that route so we’ll definitely be doing our best to engage with the market.”
While the carrier is starting with a once weekly AKL-BNE service, Wopereis says IE hopes to work closely with Kiwi agents to grow the route; adding that the early morning flight ex Auckland is a selling point. “People can get to Brisbane early in the day to get on with their business, or connect through to our services on to the Solomon Islands.” IE offers commissionable economy and business class options. Wopereis says the full-service carrier does not have the ‘bells and whistles’ that other larger carriers have (such as in-flight entertainment), but says ‘we pride ourselves on offering a much better seat pitch than other carriers—our minimum seat pitch is 33 inches.” While the labour and VFR market between the Solomons and New Zealand is expected to utilise the new AKL-BNE and beyond service, Wopereis believes the biggest potential is the leisure market, to both BNE and on to the Solomons.
. . . Famils
The carrier is looking to engage with Kiwi agents to increase awareness of its product and route network. “We need to gain the confidence of the market in terms of what we are offering,” says Wopereis, adding that
the carrier is hoping to get agents to experience the product, and the Solomons, first hand later this year.
. . . Beyond
The AKL-BNE flights connect on to IE’s services to Munda, which Wopereis likens to the tourism gateway of the nation. Ideal for the soft adventure and diving/fishing market Wopereis says the Solomons offers Kiwis travellers an authentic holiday.
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