Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) on 23 January 2026 opened consultations after receiving a Qantas application for an additional 97 seats per week on the Solomon Islands route. The flag-carrier plans to introduce a second weekly Brisbane–Honiara rotation from 29 March 2026, operated by Alliance Airlines Embraer E190 jets under wet-lease.
If approved, the determination will run for five years and must be fully utilised by 30 June 2026. The move comes as mining, defence-co-operation and aid projects drive steady corporate demand between Australia and the Solomons, while the new 3,000-place Pacific Engagement Visa is expected to stimulate two-way family visits.
Travellers from both countries who need assistance navigating entry permits and transit documents can take advantage of VisaHQ’s streamlined online service (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), which provides up-to-date visa information, digital application tools and courier options—making preparation for the expanded flight schedule quicker and easier.
![Qantas Seeks Extra Capacity on Brisbane–Honiara Route for Wet-Leased E190 Service]()
For business travellers the extra frequency improves connectivity: the proposed Sunday departure complements Qantas’ existing mid-week service, enabling three-day round-trip itineraries without overnight transits. Cargo capacity—particularly for high-value chilled seafood exports to Brisbane—will also rise.
Competitor Solomon Airlines currently flies four times weekly using Airbus A320 aircraft. Under Australia–Solomon Islands bilateral air-services arrangements, unused capacity remains available, but other carriers have until 9 February to lodge counter-applications. Industry observers expect the IASC to grant Qantas the seats unopposed, given the modest allocation and the wet-lease’s quick start-up timeline.
Should approval proceed, mobility managers relocating staff to Guadalcanal projects will gain more flexibility, though limited premium-class seating on the E190 means early booking remains advisable.
If approved, the determination will run for five years and must be fully utilised by 30 June 2026. The move comes as mining, defence-co-operation and aid projects drive steady corporate demand between Australia and the Solomons, while the new 3,000-place Pacific Engagement Visa is expected to stimulate two-way family visits.
Travellers from both countries who need assistance navigating entry permits and transit documents can take advantage of VisaHQ’s streamlined online service (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), which provides up-to-date visa information, digital application tools and courier options—making preparation for the expanded flight schedule quicker and easier.
For business travellers the extra frequency improves connectivity: the proposed Sunday departure complements Qantas’ existing mid-week service, enabling three-day round-trip itineraries without overnight transits. Cargo capacity—particularly for high-value chilled seafood exports to Brisbane—will also rise.
Competitor Solomon Airlines currently flies four times weekly using Airbus A320 aircraft. Under Australia–Solomon Islands bilateral air-services arrangements, unused capacity remains available, but other carriers have until 9 February to lodge counter-applications. Industry observers expect the IASC to grant Qantas the seats unopposed, given the modest allocation and the wet-lease’s quick start-up timeline.
Should approval proceed, mobility managers relocating staff to Guadalcanal projects will gain more flexibility, though limited premium-class seating on the E190 means early booking remains advisable.
