Solomon airlines hit by new safety fears

SOLOMON Airlines appears to have been hit by yet another problem – this time it’s to do with safety fears surrounding its ageing domestic fleet.

Informed sources said the Airlines’ domestic fleet has failed a recent audit, raising fears about safety of the traveling public.

One source said as a result of this, Australian Federal Police Officers working in Honiara have been directed to stop using Solomon Airlines’ domestic flights.

Instead, they are advised to travel by boat or helicopter.

This is going to be a major blow to the airline after its board was embroiled in recent controversies surrounding the choice of a new Chief Executive Officer.

The Board of Solomon Airlines was forced to readvertise the CEO’s job after it was found it made the choice without adequate due diligence to satisfy the safety requirements of civil aviation authorities in Australia and Solomon Islands.

Its second choice was not without controversy either, but in the end the applicant was appointed.

According to informed sources, the CEO hardly spend a weekend in Honiara, where the Airlines is renting a $53,000-a-month luxury apartment for him.

Some associated with the airline industry say the CEO should be in Honiara to deal with the safety issues being uncovered in the recent audit.

“It’s a very serious matter when the safety of the entire traveling is at risk. The CEO should be here to assure the traveling public that the matter is being addressed,” one said last night.