Solomon Airlines, the national carrier of the Solomon Islands, will launch a weekly service between Honiara (HIR) and Port Moresby (POM) on June 30, 2026. The flight, IE717/718, departs Honiara at 09:40 local time and arrives in Port Moresby at 11:00, allowing passengers to connect the same day to Guangzhou (CAN), Singapore (SIN), Manila (MNL), and Hong Kong (HKG). In the reverse direction, the flight leaves Port Moresby at noon, offering daily connections from these Asian hubs. The airline emphasizes that this route also creates a more efficient itinerary from Europe to Honiara via Guangzhou, in partnership with China Southern Airlines. Beyond Asian connections, the Port Moresby service will also link passengers to Port Vila, Vanuatu, via Honiara, strengthening regional ties across the Pacific. Matthew Findlay, CEO of Solomon Airlines since February 2026, stated: "This is a significant step in strengthening our presence in China and improving accessibility between Asia and the Solomon Islands. With our new service to Port Moresby, we are creating smoother connections for travelers and opening new opportunities for tourism and trade." The launch was postponed from March 31 to June 30, 2026, due to market conditions and fuel cost pressures. Honiara International Airport, formerly Henderson Field, is located 8 km from the capital and is the country's main international gateway. Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby, 8 km from the city center, is Papua New Guinea's largest and busiest airport, handling approximately 1.6 million passengers in 2025. In parallel, Solomon Airlines appointed TK Aviation Service, based in Guangzhou, as its official passenger sales agent in China. This company will handle sales and business development across the country, working closely with local partners including China Southern Airlines to promote the Solomon Islands as a destination. This appointment follows a bilateral air services agreement signed in November 2024 between the Solomon Islands and China, focusing on aviation safety, infrastructure, and capacity building. The airline positions the archipelago as an emerging option for Chinese travelers seeking new experiences in the Pacific, highlighting world-class diving sites, a rich WWII heritage, and authentic cultural experiences.