AUTHORIZATION APPLICATION BY AIR NIUGNI LIMITED TO CODE-SHARE WITH SOLOMON AIRLINES
The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (“ICCC”) wishes to announce to the general public and relevant stakeholders that it has commenced public consultations on the Application from Air Niugini Limited (“Air Niugini”) seeking Authorization for an existing Code-Share Agreement (“Agreement”) it has with Solomon Airlines (“SolAir’’) on the route between Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and Honiara, Solomon Islands (“Application”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the two airlines are operating the services under a free-sale arrangement where Air Niugini is the Operating Carrier and SolAir is the Marketing Carrier. This means, both carriers would have full access to all available seats that could be sold to their customers, except on mid-week flights. It is proposed that the mid-week flights would have a hard block seat allocation. Air Niugini plans to operate at least four (4) weekly flights to Honiara.
The Application was submitted in accordance with section 70 of the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Act 2002 (“ICCC Act”). Authorisation is a public and transparent adjudication process that requires the ICCC to seek comments and receive submissions from relevant stakeholders and the general public before it makes a determination on the Application. Therefore, the ICCC is inviting all interested persons to provide their views and comments on the potential impacts the proposed Code-Share may have on competition on this route and the overall airline industry. Also, provide your comments on the potential benefits and detriments the proposed arrangement may have on the airline industry and the domestic economy.
Please note that all submissions received by the ICCC will be treated as public information, except where information is designated as “confidential” by the submitter. Where information is designated confidential, the submitter must provide reason(s) to justify why that particular information should not be disclosed to the public. The ICCC will assess and make a decision on all confidentiality claims pursuant to section 131 of the ICCC Act.
All comments and submissions should be addressed to Mr. Paulus Ain, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer on the address provided below and must reach the ICCC by or before Tuesday, 20th May 2025.
A non-confidential version of the Application, including details of the proposed Code-Share, can be accessed and downloaded from the ICCC website: www.iccc.gov.pg.
All queries relating to this matter should be directed to Mr. Steven Sugl, Executive Manager for the Competition Law Enforcement Division, on telephone 312 4600 or e-mail to ssugl@iccc.gov.pg.