BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
SOLOMON Airlines Dash-8 aircraft is not for sale.
Earlier media report that Solomon Airlines is planning to sell off its sole Dash-8 Aircraft are deemed largely untrue as the national carrier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brett Gebers said the report is filled with unsubstantiated statements.
According to CEO Gebers, all airlines have to regularly review their fleets and the country announcing domestic travel restrictions which are currently in place has significantly reduced the number of passengers travelling.
Facing such a situation, they have no choice but to regularly look at the composition of their fleet to see if it is still appropriate for the expected passenger demand.
Solomon Airlines CEO said they have no choice but to regularly look at the composition of their fleet to see if it is still appropriate for the expected passenger demand.
Mr Gebers added that there may be opportunities to replace the Dash-8 with a more suitable aircraft type. The only way they can find out is to look at the numbers and all the alternative options.
“For example, most airlines have grounded their widebody aircraft because of low demand,” said Gebers.
“On 19 January, the Solomon Islands announced domestic travel restrictions which are currently still in place. This has significantly reduced the number of passengers travelling.
“We have no choice but to regularly look at the composition of our fleet to see if it is still appropriate for the expected passenger demand. We do this at least every year.
“There may be opportunities to replace the Dash 8 with a more suitable aircraft type. The only way we can find out is to look at the numbers and all the alternative options.
Solomon Airlines Media and Public Relations in response to Sunday Isles query also confirm that the Dash-8 is not available for sale.
“It is standard practice for airlines to review and discuss their fleet strategy from time to time to determine the right future fleet strategy but no decisions have been made,” said Solomon Airlines Media and Public Relations.
An earlier media report stated that Solomon Airlines is planning to sell off its sole Dash-8 aircraft, a move which runs counter to the Government’s costly upgrade of regional aerodromes.
