FIJI’S national airline may soon be flying into turbulence as Korean Air poises to make a return to the region after a seven-year break.
An announcement by Fijian Tourism Minister, Bill Gavoka, of the impending return caused an immediate reaction from Fiji Airways CEO, Paul Scurrah.
“Should Korean Air restore direct services to Nadi, Fiji Airways anticipates increased competitive pressure on its Asian routes, including those serving other regional destinations,” Scurrah said.
When Korean pulled its Nadi-Incheon service in 2019, Fiji Airways claimed 70 per cent of the market using its direct flights to Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Korean cited losses on the route due to reduced passenger demand. The Nadi-Incheon service was popular with Fijians because it provided direct onward links to London for families with relatives in the British Army.
While Scurrah noted his concern. he said Fiji Airways remained “committed to providing seamless international connectivity for travellers to and from Fiji.”
He said the airline would provide “convenient and competitive connectivity into Fiji” for Korean travellers.
“The airline will continue to honour and operate within all existing bilateral and codeshare frameworks, while actively monitoring market conditions to ensure its commercial interests and those of its passengers are appropriately protected,’’ Scurrah said.
Gavoka said that in the past Fiji received around 50,000 visitors annually from Europe largely due to Korean Air’s routes linking London. Seoul and Nadi.
