SOLOMON Airlines Airbus A320 was grounded since Sunday in Honiara after it developed a mechanical problem.
As a result many passengers were left stranded after their flights were disrupted.
Solomon Airline Commercial Manager Colin Sigimanu told the Solomon Star on Monday, they are waiting for the spare-parts to arrive sometimes today or tomorrow so that their engineers can fix the problem.
“The latest so far now is our engineers have located the specific part and now we are waiting for the parts to arrive from Brisbane by tomorrow (today) afternoon or Wednesday,” he said.
Mr Sigimanu said currently the aircraft remains at the Honiara international tarmac and will get back into operation after the parts are fitted.
“We expect the aircraft to resume its services by tomorrow (today) or on Wednesday depending on the arrival of the spare-parts,” he said.
As result of the disruption passengers who were supposed to travel to Brisbane on Sunday afternoon and then to Nadi and Port Vila yesterday were stranded.
Mr Sigimanu said they have accommodated those passengers who were disrupted.
However, passengers bound for Port Vila are expected to travel today on an Air Niugini service.
For those Nadi-bound passengers, the Airline is trying to secure an earliest possible route of Honiara.
Brisbane passengers will fly out by today or tomorrow once the issue is resolved.
Mr Sigimanu is hoping for a quick recovery by today once the spares arrive.
He said Solomon Airlines sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but assures everything will be fine by today or tomorrow.
Meanwhile, on Sunday most of the passengers arrived at the airport hoping to board their flight but were greeted with a notice about flight disruption.
The notice advises the traveling public that due to operational reasons, flight IE702 was canceled.
By IAN M.KAUKUI
