FREE business class upgrades and freight exemptions are the latest offerings by Solomon Airlines, but only if you are a special client, it was revealed this week.

Business associates of Chairman Austin Holmes were reportedly granted free business class upgrades on the national carrier’s flights to and from Brisbane over the busy Christmas/New Year period.

A senior Cabinet Minister also benefitted from the Airlines’ generosity with Chairman Holmes reportedly granting him freight exemptions to fly personal effects from Brisbane last year. The cargo weighed more than half a ton.

At AUD12 [SBD82] to AUD15 [SBD102] a kilo, the loss to the airline was substantial.

This latest revelation on the national carrier’s saga is a contradiction to what Chairman Holmes has been telling the public.

According to sources, the Board’s generosity is not confined to just free upgrades to business associates. It extends to freight exemptions on personal effects from Brisbane.

They say a number of business associates had already taken advantage of the free business class upgrades during the busy Christmas/New Year period.

“The order for free upgrades to business class actually comes from the Chairman, Austin Holmes himself. In every case, he bypassed Management in ordering the upgrades,” one source said.

Upgrades on special economy fare could cost up to AUD500.

Depending on the daily exchange rate movement, the loss to the airline on each upgrade could be as high as SBD3, 400 or more.

“That’s the amount Solomon Airlines loses for each ticket each time the free business class upgrade is granted. Perhaps the fact that these so-called business associates don’t fly everyday sort of limit the losses to the airline,” the source said.

The revelation flies in the face of claims by Chairman Holmes last month that the national carrier was “in intensive care unit, we could have died then”, adding that the situation has now improved.

Meanwhile it was revealed that a senior Cabinet Minister was granted freight exemptions to bring in his personal effects from Brisbane last year.

The consignment weighing 560 kilograms was flown from Brisbane freight free on October 12, 2016.

Sources said the exemption was granted by Chairman Holmes.

Mr Holmes could not be reached for comment.