Aviation a lifeline for the Pacific, says Forum SG Waqa
Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa, Thursday emphasised the vital role aviation plays in the region’s future, calling it not just a mode of transport, but a lifeline for island economies. Speaking to
Nauru and Kiribati sign agreement to boost air connectivity
The governments of Nauru and Kiribati have signed an agreement aimed at boosting their aviation sector. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the presidents of both Micronesian nations on 01 February, according
Health and education important, not aircraft: Samoa’s PM
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has reiterated that the idea of Samoa operating its national carrier is not a government priority right now. In a statement made during Parliament deliberations on Wednesday,
Solomon Airlines to start Australia-NZ flights
Solomon Islands national carrier – Solomon Airlines – will begin operating an Auckland -Brisbane route from 21 February 2025. The airline will use an A320-200 to operate the weekly roundtrip. “While we expect
Nauru Airlines receive support to continue weekly flights
The Australian Government has extended its support to Nauru Airlines until October 2025 as the national carrier builds its Australia-North Pacific Connector
“A game-changer”: Fiji Airways launches new flight simulators
Fiji Airways has launched two advanced full-flight simulators for the Airbus A350 and ATR-72 aircraft at its Aviation Academy in
Kiribati’s US$60m airports project moves forward
Aviation provides vital regional and international connectivity for Kiribati, and is essential for the import and export of time-sensitive commodities and emergency
China Airlines to resume direct flights between Taipei and Guam
China Airlines, one of Taiwan's largest carriers, will resume its Taipei-Guam service from 27 November to 02 February 2025, with two weekly
Qantas gets Palau route as Australia strengthens Pacific ties
Qantas will fly passengers from Brisbane to Palau's capital Koror, as part of an Australian government-supported push to boost aviation and
United Airlines to launch direct flights from Japan to Palau
United Airlines announced plans to introduce a year-round, nonstop service between Tokyo/Narita and Koror, Palau, starting in May
ADB approves financing of Air Niugini re-fleet
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) board has approved financing to support Air Niugini’s re-fleeting
Liquidator appointed to resolve Air Vanuatu’s financial woes
The liquidator appointed to resolve Air Vanuatu's financial woes says the airline is set to come out of
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
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
