Direct airline flights between Fiji and Solomon Islands have been suspended following Solomon's initial ban on Fiji Airways and the Fijian government responding in kind, local media reported on Monday.

The dispute began after the Solomon government breached the Air Services Agreement with Fiji that allows for air travel between the two nations.

The Solomon government has prevented two Fiji Airways direct flights from Nadi to Honiara from taking place over the past two weekends.

After the latest flight was refused permission to fly on Saturday, Fiji countered by banning a Solomon Airlines flight that was due to take place on the same day.

Fiji's attorney general and minister for civil aviation, Aiyaz Sayed -Khaiyum, said the responsibility for the dispute rested with Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile Director of Solomon Islands' Civil Aviation George Satu said he was shocked to be advised that their national airline was denied entry to operate its scheduled and approved flights each Saturday to Fiji, returning on Sunday.

He said the civil aviation authority was aware that Fiji Airways had applied to operate a second service to Solomon Islands on Saturdays beginning this month.

There was some pending issues of "rights" that needed to be addressed prior to approving Fiji Airways request, he said.