Solomon Airlines will make its first flight back to Gwaunaru’u Airport on Malaita on May 9.
Earlier, the first flight should have been made tomorrow, but this was rescheduled.
Malaita premier Peter Ramohia confirmed this to the Sunday Star.
He said the new date was communicated to him by the Director of Civil Aviation GeorgeSatu.
“Finally we can all look forward to the 9th May 2016 as the actual date to witness the result of the hard work of the Government Taskforce, landowners and other stakeholders,”Ramohia quoted Satu as saying.
“Please take note that due to safety issues on the airplane that needs to be cleared, the first commercial flight will be commencing on the 9th May 2016 and not on the 2nd of May.”
Ramohia said that office responsible needs to be satisfied and also meet the minimum safety requirement for safe operation into Gwaunaruu Aerodrome by Solomon Airlines.
He added that Satuhmet with Martin Fini last week and already advise him of the issues and he has informed the communities to do the task of clearing the areas concern rake the dead grass from the runway and remove pile of rocks from the airfield.
Ramohia said the delay will also give Solomon Airlines time to prepare their operations office in Auki to facilitate the resumption of flights.
The airport was closed in 2013 after an internal dispute between landowning groups.
By LESLEY SANGA
