Northern Marianas seeks to revive tourism amid suspended flights
The CNMI is struggling to revive its main tourism industry to pre-COVID levels three years after the lifting of travel
Aviation
Indonesia, New Zealand deny paying Papuan rebels to free pilot
Jakarta and Wellington on Monday denied claims by a Papuan rebel spokesman that Indonesian authorities had paid a guerrilla commander to free a New Zealand pilot from 19 months of captivity. Egianus Kogoya, who
Air New Zealand announces a significant increase in their flight capacity to the Pacific Islands
Air New Zealand has announced a significant increase in their flight capacity to the Pacific Islands. From November 2024 to March 2025, adding tens of thousands of seats to the Pacific destinations, marking a 9
Star Marianas seeks federal probe into Commonwealth Ports Authority’s ‘coercive’ rules and ‘arbitrary fees
Star Marianas Air on Monday said it would ask the Federal Aviation Authority to launch an investigation into the Commonwealth Ports Authority for allegedly imposing “coercive fee-setting practices” that circumvent
Gary Seddon confirmed as CEO of Air Niugini
Air Niugini has announced the appointment of Gary Seddon as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Seddon has been serving in an acting capacity and has now been confirmed by the National Executive Council
Qantas takes off on first flight to Vanuatu
Qantas has taken off from Brisbane to Port Vila, the harbourside capital of Vanuatu, for the first time in its history. The inaugural service, QF159, was at full capacity Tuesday with holidaymakers and business
Opinion: Travel recovery in the Pacific: worrying signs
As the pandemic recedes and gradually fades from people’s memories, travel in the Pacific is rebounding. However, the Pacific’s travel recovery is highly variable. Comparing visitor arrivals in 2023 with those in
Fiji Airways signs lease agreement for three ATR 72-600s
Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has announced the successful execution of a lease agreement for three ATR 72-600 aircraft with Fiji Airways. The aircraft are from NAC’s orderbook with ATR. Fiji Airways, the national
Mercury spill on Air Niugini aircraft investigated
The PNG Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) is probing a mercury spill from a package aboard an Air Niugini aircraft at the Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby last month. AIC Chief Commissioner Maryanne
Fiji Airways launches new flights to Dallas
Fiji Airways is spreading its wings to Texas with the launch of flights to Dallas Fort Worth from December 2024. Dallas Fort Worth (also known as DFW) is the headquarters and mega-hub of American Airlines, whose
Air Niugini’s Boeing 737 resume flights to Melanesian countries
Air Niugini’s Boeing 737 aircraft will resume flights to Port Vila in Vanuatu from 03 August. Air Niugini’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gary Seddon said that this would provide an opportunity to reconnect
Chatham Airlines begins flying in Tonga amid Lulutai’s ongoing flight disruptions
Chatham Airlines begins servicing Tonga’s domestic flight services this week. The announcement comes a month after Kaniva News reported that Lulutai contacted the New Zealand airlines to assist with its
Air transport woes top agenda of Marianas lawmakers’ assembly
Issues and concerns regarding air transportation between the CNMI and Guam topped the agenda of the Mariana Islands Legislature Association’s 2nd General Assembly at the Guam Congress Building on Wednesday. Guam
Air Vanuatu liquidation nears final stages with August deadline
Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited (Ltd) entered liquidation on 9 May 2024 and Ernst and Young (EY) were appointed as Liquidators. 09 June marked one month since the liquidation, and Tuesday, 9 July, marked two months.
Guam eyed as Micronesian hub for Nauru Airlines
Guam leaders have begun a dialogue with Nauru Airlines to explore air service expansion and consider a proposal to create a regional hub on island. The meeting between Guam officials and Nauru Airlines executives
‘Very early stages’ of talks on viability of Nauru Airlines’ direct Australia-Guam route
Visiting Nauru Airline officials on Tuesday met with Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and other local officials on the possibility of adding Guam to Nauru Airlines’ route, as it once did in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Air Niugini increase flights to Hong Kong
Air Niugini has increased its direct flights between Port Moresby and Hong Kong from three to four flights per week, effective Monday 01st July 2024. The additional service operates every Monday, adding to the
PNG fuel crisis fixed: State Entreprise Minister Duma
Papua New Guinea State Enterprises Minister William Duma says passengers on Air Niugini flights will no longer be “inconvenienced” by the lack of JetA1 fuel. He made the announcement following an arrangement between
Qantas and Jetstar launch direct flights to Vanuatu
Qantas and Jetstar have announced they will commence operating up to nine return flights each week between Australia and Vanuatu, with the new seats going on sale across both carriers this week. Starting on 10 September
Fiji Airways interested in reviving Port Vila, Tanna and Santo flights
Vanuatu deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Matai Seremaiah, has announced that Fiji Airways is interested in connecting Port Vila to Tanna and Port Vila to Santo flights via an ATR, ensuring
Air Vanuatu to lose 170 staff as liquidators try to save embattled airline
Nearly 200 people have lost their jobs as liquidators restructure Air Vanuatu to reduce the embattled airline’s operating costs. Approximately 170 staff members have been made redundant as liquidators try to
Solomon Airlines to start scheduled services between Vanuatu and NZ
Solomon Airlines has confirmed the airline will commence direct flights between Port Vila and Auckland from 27 May, using Solomon Airlines aircraft to continue air services linking Vanuatu and New Zealand. Solomon
Liquidators say a ‘clearly’ broke Air Vanuatu owes at least $99m
Air Vanuatu administrators say the airline was “clearly not in a position to meet its financial commitments” well before it collapsed earlier this month, and is more than $99 million (US$66 million) short of being
Air Vanuatu: Ernst & Young appointed voluntary liquidators, Fiji Airways boosts capacity to Vanuatu
Ernst & Young Australia have been appointed as Voluntary Liquidators of Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited. This follows the airline’s cancellation of around 20 flights to and from New Zealand, Australia and