Fiji and Solomons to discuss airline impasse

The Foreign Minister of Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, is due to arrive in Solomon Islands today, where he is expected to discuss the ongoing airline impasse with the new government.

There have been no direct flights between Honiara and Suva since July.

Ratu Inoke’s visit is the first official visit from a member of a foreign government since the Democratic Coalition for Change took office in December last year.

He is to meet the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Milner Tozaka, where they are expected to discuss bilateral issues affecting the two countries, including the airline impasse.

The impasse started after Fiji, responding to Solomon Islands rejecting its request for an additional flight into Honiara, cancelled all Solomon Airlines flights to Nadi, following which Solomon Airlines promptly cancelled all flights from Fiji.