SI Gov’t settles aircraft maintenance bill

Solomon airlines Dash 8 aircraft is expected to arrive Thursday this week after the Solomon Islands government paid a $4.2 million bill to an Australian maintenance company yesterday morning.

Director of Aviation George Satu told Islands Sun on Tuesday, that grounding of fleet at the Honiara international airport Monday morning, was due to row between Solomon airlines CEO Ron Sumsum and the Ministry of Finance.

He said due to the absence of the dash 8, Pilots are working beyond limited flying hours with a Twin otter which he pointed out is also a basis of discrepancy.

In relation PASIPIK news reported that “Charter flights and seats for government officials have reportedly gone unpaid, and as a result airlines was not able settle the Maintenance bill”

Permanent secretary of the ministry of Communication and Aviation Moses Virivolomo yesterday confirms that the issue was due to the operational requirements and the financial issue.

He described the twin otter as being overused, with Pilots flying beyond time limits in efforts to maintain usual daily flight schedule previously carried out with availability of the Dash 8, which he also pointed out as a cause of fatigue on staff. Mr. Virivolomo maintains there was nothing wrong with the integrity of the airport facilities.

                                                                                                            RE-IMAGE SOLOMONS