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Solomon Airlines CEO to blame for grounding, says government

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Solomon Airlines CEO to blame for grounding, says government

The Solomon Islands government says Solomon Airlines CEO Ron Sumsum, who grounded the airline on Tuesday over safety concerns, is to blame for the airline's perilous financial situation. Sumsum claims to have shut down the airline due to the government's failure to pay millions of dollars in arrears.

A statement from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury said the government considers Captain Sumsum's unilateral action irresponsible and said he had jeopardised the airline's reputation. It further added that the government had met all its financial commitments to the airline and had written off many bad debts and injected capital over the years. The government is looking for a new CEO for the airline and promises to be back in the air within 24 hours.

"Government is taking steps to address the current situation with Solomon Airlines. Government is also working closely with Civil Aviation Authority and the newly appointed board of directors to finalize the recruitment of a new CEO for Solomon Airlines," said the statement.

"Government advises the general public that the current situation under which services for domestic and international are halted should be resolved, with flights resuming, within the next 24 hours.