Stranded in the Solomon Islands, domestic flights cancelled

[AIRwin]

If by some miracle we get back tomorrow I can repurchase the points seats. Otherwise it will be first reasonable cheap cash fare.

I can now see Reward seat availability tomorrow after which none until Sunday otherwise cash fare is over $600

 

[Denali]

Ok just got off the phone with QF USA and they kindly agreed to cancel with full refund due to being stranded by Solomon Airlines. He said points should post quickly, is that right? If by some miracle we get back tomorrow I can repurchase the points seats. Otherwise it will be first reasonable cheap cash fare. I really want to just get home. Holiday spirit completely ruined.

I hope not. Enjoy the extra few days by the pool and the heat. Getting home safely is the only important thing and travel delays happen.

 

[Tiki]

We are on a tiny remote island in a guesthouse that has power only a few hours in the evening. Patchy wifi although better at the airstrip because I got then to log me on. Running out of mozzie spray. Husband has a cough and no pharmac_ here. Local shops have things like noodles, tuna, corned beef and hard biscuits, no bread. Shower needs power and only cold water. Two days to see the birds was more than enough. Now going on 5 nights. The people are nice but that’s about the only positive. Also running low on SBD cash, have some AUD. But was relying on credit cards in Honiara. Really wanted a nice pizza at King Solomon tonight.

 

[Tiki]

QF points still didn’t come back. How long does it take after a cancel booking by phone? I don’t have enough for a rebooking until they come back.

 

[Mattg]

Wow, what a stressful experience. @Tiki try not to feel too bad, it's not your fault and you're doing everything you can - but I realise that getting stuck on a remote island is not fun.

I would reiterate the advice that travel insurance should, hopefully, cover additional expenses incurred due to this. However, it's really important that you get written confirmation from Solomon Airlines of the exact details and reason/s for the flight cancellation/s and also keep all receipts. The more documents and evidence you collect, hopefully the less issues you'll have with claiming travel insurance down the track.

If you can't directly call your travel insurer for further advice now, I'd ask a friend or relative with reliable phone access to do it for you.

 

[Mattg]

Also, what is going on with the Solomon Airlines prop fleet?! I didn't realise they were so unreliable.

 

[Flyfrequently]

QF points still didn’t come back. How long does it take after a cancel booking by phone? I don’t have enough for a rebooking until they come back.

IME weekends have taken longer than a weekday which can be immediate.
Perhaps call again @Tiki and ask., noting the urgency.
I know I had some reinstated but agent had to get someone higher up the food chain to do it.

 

[Quickstatus]

I didn't realise they were so unreliable.

I think IE only has 2x Otters and 1x Dash 8
The Otters are over 50 years old and the single Dash 8 over 30 years old.

The single Dash 8 is used for the HIR-RNL flights (which are 3 flights/week)

........
@Tiki
Sounds dire
How can we help from Australia?
Also just confirming you are the only 2 stranded in Rennell...

 

[offshore171]

The Otters are over 50 years old a

Wow I used to skydive out of those things. Didn't realise they were still in use for passenger transport!

 

[Tiki]

Points just came back. Now we just need to get off this island.

 

[drron]

I flew in the Otters back in 1969. Even then there were some problems. I flew one from Auki to HIR . I was given the seat next to the pilot. I pointed out that the fuel gauge was showing empty. Don’t worry it’s been that way for 6 months.

 

[Tiki]

I think IE only has 2x Otters and 1x Dash 8
The Otters are over 50 years old and the single Dash 8 over 30 years old.

The single Dash 8 is used for the HIR-RNL flights (which are 3 flights/week)

........
@Tiki
Sounds dire
How can we help from Australia?
Also just confirming you are the only 2 stranded in Rennell...

We are the only 2 stranded Aussies. There’s another lady who was also connecting to BNE but all the way on IE so they will rebook her. There were maybe 20 locals trying to get on the flight. A lady at the guesthouse is waiting for her workmate to come from Honiara to relieve her.

The only way I can see is to put pressure on IE to prioritise rescuing the stranded Rennell passengers before doing other domestic passengers. They should have made Gizo wait, they already get a flight a day. The weather is best early morning. If it’s too rainy or windy they cancel. Or get a ferry company like Pelican to send a rescue ferry. I don’t know who has the power to help. Need a local VIP? How does anything get done here?

 

[Tiki]

I flew in the Otters back in 1969. Even then there were some problems. I flew one from Auki to HIR . I was given the seat next to the pilot. I pointed out that the fuel gauge was showing empty. Don’t worry it’s been that way for 6 months.

I had that front row seat HIR to MUA last week. They have pretty flash controls. Touchscreen with maps, weather overlay so they can avoid rain. I watched them navigate around a bit of rain on the way in. The other plane we had to Rennell didn’t have the touchscreen..

 

[nancypants]

I wasn’t aware of Solomon Islands air issues but it sounds very similar to Air Marshall Islands. Plus Tonga, Vanuatu etc have similar struggles

Sorry I don’t have any practical help to offer. Make the comment here so there’s a digital trace for anyone in the future looking at these kind of flights

 

[Mattg]

I wasn’t aware of Solomon Islands air issues but it sounds very similar to Air Marshall Islands. Plus Tonga, Vanuatu etc have similar struggles

Sorry I don’t have any practical help to offer. Make the comment here so there’s a digital trace for anyone in the future looking at these kind of flights

I guess this helps to explain why Solomon Airlines petitioned the IASC not to grant Qantas more weekly flights into Honiara.

Qantas wants to run us out of Brisbane, says Solomon Airlines

In a submission to the International Air Services Commission, the Solomon Islands’ flag carrier said that while Brisbane–Honiara is the “largest international route” for the Solomons and a “significant contributor to the overall development of the nation”, passenger numbers remain low.

australianaviation.com.au

Solomon Airlines claims the BNE-HIR is its most (only?) profitable route and that it basically subsidises the loss-making domestic operations. If the airline can't make a profit on international, due to Qantas stealing half its market share on BNE-HIR, then the airline is f'ed.

 

[Melburnian1]

@Tiki , an unlikely shot but the Solomon Islands and Australia reached a new agreement in July 2026. IIRC an aim was to fend off mainland Chinese influence.

Perhaps you could mention in an email to the Australian High Commission that you are aware of the above. Does it translate to any practical assistance? Is Solomons sensitive to negative tourism-related media attention?

I was nearly stranded once on a remote Filipino island but fortunately typical of that nation, a ferry was available. Very sad you appear to lack this useful alternative.

As a second suggestion, why not consider contacting The Courier Mail tomorrow in Brisbane and see if it's interested in your story? It's a predicament not many find themselves in, especially given the Solomons is geographically close to Australia. "So near and yet so far."

I will say a prayer for you. and your husband.

 

[Quickstatus]

I don’t know who has the power to help. Need a local VIP? How does anything get done here?

I guess "island time" is in operation - a relaxed mindset where deadlines and timetables matter less.
Are you able to use CC for local purchases?

 

[Tiki]

I haven’t sought major publicity yet because I don’t want my real name and the fact that we are stranded and our home is unoccupied right now. My husband is diabetic and on several medications. We brought an extra 5-6 days supply of pills and his Australian prescription so if needed we can buy more. But there is no pharmac_ on this island. I inspected the tiny clinic. It seems they give penicillin and Panadol for any complaint. He has a dry cough and cold for a few days. Normally we would use dextromethorphan cough syrup, if it doesn’t go away after a few days then go to the GP. I haven’t caught any bug but I am naturally personal space aware. He is a Pacific Islander by birth and more sociable so he could have picked up a bug from someone.

I guess "island time" is in operation - a relaxed mindset where deadlines and timetables matter less.
Are you able to use CC for local purchases?

Not on this island, it’s cash only. Credit cards are fine in Honiara and other bigger towns.

 

[Tiki]

Other than a couple locals who have a flight to Brisbane the other passengers are unbelievably nonchalant about all this. No outrage over the multiple cancellations, yelling, screaming, crying or any emotional distress. They just go back home like a picnic got rained out so they can do it next week. But I think it’s this attitude and acceptance of poor performance that leads to the airline not prioritising this airstrip. They have us as first priority for next flight out. But they need to send that flight, don’t cancel or have the pilot turn around mid flight as what happened yesterday..