Pacific News Brief, June 28

Solomon Airlines
photo: supply

Vanuatu/Solomon Islands – Flights

Solomon Airlines will commence weekly return flights from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu from July 4.

The airline said the flight reopened a vital direct route between Australia and Vanuatu.

Air Vanuatu went into voluntary liquidation in May and all flights were grounded.

Vanuatu Tourism Chief Executive Adela Issachar Aru said the weekly direct flights from Brisbane to Santo were “a welcome development in rebuilding our air connectivity”.

Solomon Airlines also operates two flights per week from Brisbane to Port Vila via Honiara.

Fiji – Strategy

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad launched the National Drug Strategy 2023-2028 at the National University’s Nasinu Campus.

Prasad said illegal drug trafficking has grown dramatically over the years, compounding other challenges facing the country.

Fijian Village The report said areas covered by the strategy include prevention work for children and young people.

Prasad said the growing illegal drug problem was caused by a number of factors, including the country’s strategic location in the Pacific Ocean.

Samoa – Disputes

Twenty men from Samata and Fagafuu on Savaii have been charged by police for their alleged involvement in a dispute between the two villages.

this samoa observer Police Commissioner Auapao Logitino Filippo told the media that the men face multiple charges for allegedly throwing stones and using threatening words.

They are due to appear in court on July 23.

Police said the conflict between the two villages was suspected to have stemmed from a decision of the Land and Property Court.

Meanwhile, a 50-year-old man from Fajafo has been charged with murder following an argument that resulted in the death of a Samata man.

Guam – Flights

Guam’s congressional representative, James Moylan, is trying to pass a law aimed at reducing the cost of airfare.

Airfare between Guam and Saipan can run as high as $500, while flights to other parts of the continental United States run into the thousands of dollars.

Current federal law does not allow foreign airlines to carry passengers or cargo between U.S. cities in an effort to protect domestic interests from foreign competition.

Only United Airlines offers flights between Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Hawaii, and the tickets are very expensive.

Representative Moylan’s bill, first introduced to Congress last week, would allow foreign airlines to fly from Guam to other U.S. airports, with the goal of lowering airfares and giving people more travel options.

The Northern Mariana Islands’ congressional representatives also support the move.

New Zealand/Pacific – Relations

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a high-level political delegation to the Solomon Islands, Nauru and Niue on Monday.

Peters said in a statement that major regional issues would be on the agenda, including unrest in New Caledonia.

Peters was joined by Police and Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Chairman Tim van de Molen and opposition members including Labor’s Damien O’Connor and Jenny Salesa and Greens MP Teanau Tuiono.

Peters said New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific was vital to foreign policy and he was determined to continue to strengthen it.

He said the New Zealand Parliament had a strong interest and commitment to the Pacific region.