Why Solomon Airlines is not servicing Manaoba Airfield
THE ON-GOING land disputes between landowning parties have prevented Solomon Airlines from servicing the newly built multi-million dollar Manaoba Airfield in north Malaita.
The airline’s chief executive officer Captain Ron Sumsum clarified this on Tuesday.
“Solomon Airlines have done all it can to be ready to operate when Manaoba becomes safe and secure,” Captain Sumsum said.
“But right now, Manaoba is under landowner dispute and these disputing parties continue to maintain a threat to a safe, secure and an undisturbed airline service,” he added.
“It is a fact that Solomon Airline was threatened on the day it made its test flight to Manaoba airfield.”
Captain Sumsum said the test flight was carried with satisfactory results; after which tentative schedules have been planned with airfares being filed into the airline’s reservations system.
“But our risk management process indicates clearly that under the current stalemate, we are unable to guarantee the safety of our crew, aircraft and clients,” he said.
Captain Sumsum said the airline invested a significant sum of money on the Dash8 aircraft, which is specifically designed for forecasted high demand destinations like Manaoba and others yet to be realised.
He rejected any suggestions that they would delay seeing return on the significant government investment.
The CEO said Manaoba is a state infrastructure with ongoing issues that the state needs to completely address so users like the airline can service without disturbance.
He said the airline continues to lose significant revenue due to these disputes and this sadly is the same issue the airline has faced for years.
“We now look forward to current efforts in addressing these difficult matters by our Government and finally bring about the returns it has yet to realise,” he said.
Meanwhile, former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Civil Aviation Francis Lomo has described claims the airfield cost the government $60 million.
He was reacting to claims made by his successor Moses Virivolomo during the Public Account Committee hearing last week.
Mr Virivolomo told the Public Account Committee Manaoba Airfield has cost the government $60m whilst Munda, developed by an overseas company, was only $40 million.
But Mr Lomo, who looked after the project on its initial stage, said the claim was misleading.
He said the cost of Manaoba Airfield was around $16-$20 million – $8 million was spent on construction, $1.2 million for goodwill payment, $2.5 million for terminal and fencing, $2 million for forest inventory, $2 million for consultancy including opening and $1 million for administration and others.
“I do not really know where the other $40 million comes from,” he said.
Mr Lomo urged those appearing before the PAC to provide right information, saying PAC is just an extension of the Parliament meeting and information must be presented on facts.
He said PAC is not a place to raise allegations and they should be encouraged to be more factual.
“The claims that Manaoba Airport cost the government $60 million implies those of us looking after the project at the initial stage have misused the fund while the right information are ignored.”
He said the project has been completed and already been certified by the Civil Aviation with an Aeronautical Information Publication certificate.
An Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is a publication issued by or with the authority of a State and contained aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation.
The AIP contains details of regulations, procedures and other information pertinent to the operation of aircraft in the particular country to which it relates.
It is usually issued by or on behalf of the respective civil aviation administration and constitutes the basic information source for permanent information and long duration temporary changes.
Mr Lomo said with the AIP, Solomon Airlines can use the piece of information to fly to the airport.
By CHARLES KADAMANA