Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the status of the government-owned airline, the Premier of the Western Province, Alex Lokopio, has categorically stressed, in a recent press release, that his government is totally behind the current board of the airline because they have the caliber and the standing to be members of this board.

The Premier cautioned that any changes and disturbances to the Board's line-up could be detrimental to the cause to revive the airline and could further disrupt the airlines services to the only tourist hub in the country.

Premier Lokopio pointed out that there is a marked improvement of the Airlines services to Western Province thus culminating in the increase in numbers of tourists visiting the province, and added that tourism is an important sector to the province.

Meanwhile, the Western Provincial Executive has expressed its disappointment on the continuous interference to the Current Airline Board's good work and, they have, in their recent executive meeting in Gizo, unanimously voiced their concern over the on-going rift befalling the Solomon Airline.