Tourism Solomons welcomes new Solomon Airlines CEO

Tourism Solomons Chief Executive Officer (Acting), Mr Dagnal Dereveke, has welcomed the appointment of Mr Matthew Findlay as the new Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Airlines.

Describing the move as a positive and timely development for both the national carrier and the Solomon Islands tourism sector, Mr Dereveke said he and his team were very much looking forward to working closely with the new CEO.

Mr Dereveke highlighted the long-standing and productive partnership his organisation, enjoys with Solomon Airlines, noting the two organisations have worked closely for many

years to successfully promote the destination on the world tourism stage and improve air access to the country.

This collaboration, he said, had been further strengthened via the recent signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which reinforces both organisations’ joint efforts to grow visitor arrivals and support national development.

“Our organisations have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership, delivering shared successes in destination marketing, route development and regional engagement,” Mr Dereveke said.

“The MOU reflects our shared vision and commitment, and we look forward to working closely with Mr Findlay to build on the strong foundation already in place, in the process supporting sustainable tourism growth and national development.”

Mr Dereveke said Mr Findlay’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the airline and for the Solomon Islands with the airline’s recent announcement detailing developments on its international schedule effective from March.

These developments include re-established weekly flights between Honiara and Port Vila, added flights from Honiara to Port Moresby with opens further connections to Asian ports, and increased operations to Vanuatu from both Australia and New Zealand and including for the first time, flights ex-Christchurch.