PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare found himself in the economy class when flying from Port Vila to Brisbane last weekend.
This was after he led the government delegation to Vanuatu to successfully bid for the 2023 Pacific Games to be held here.
From Vanuatu, Mr Sogavare flew to Brisbane before boarding the flight from there back home Monday this week.
Government insiders say it was embarrassing to see the nation’s prime minister flying economy class when he was supposed to be in business.
“Something must have gone wrong and his executive personnel secretary should be taken to task over this,” one insider said.
“It’s the role of the executive personnel secretary to check on the PM’s tickets to ensure he’s always flying business,” the insider added.
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Deli Oso, who also accompanied Mr Sogavare, confirmed the story.
But she said the situation was a result of a misunderstanding when Solomon Airlines booked the PM’s tickets.
Mrs Oso said the travel consultant who booked the ticket though there was no business class in the aircraft the prime minister will be boarding from Vanuatu to Australia.
“The travel officer must have mistaken the flight with the one that normally flies between Port Vila and Noumea, New Caledonia,” Mrs Oso said.
She said they flew out in a Boeing aircraft from Vila to Brisbane and because the booking was already done for economy, Mr Sogavare had no option but to fly economy.
The prime minister flew business on the Brisbane-Honiara leg of the trip.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
