Fiji Airways says Israel charter was a commercial decision
Fiji Airways says its decision to operate a charter flight to Israel was based on purely commercial considerations. Amidst the chaos of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, Fiji Airways safely retrieved more than 200 Fijians
Nauru Airlines set to secure U.S. foreign air carrier permit
Nauru Airlines has tentatively secured a foreign air carrier permit from the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT), allowing it to operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights between Nauru and Guam
Hundreds of tourists stranded as Air Vanuatu cancels flights
Hundreds of tourists have been stranded after Air Vanuatu cancelled a week’s worth of flights right as school holidays kicked off in New Zealand and Australia. The airline’s only Boeing 737 aircraft – which
Solomon Airlines inks partnership agreement with Air Vanuatu
The flag carrier of the Solomon Islands, Solomon Airlines has confirmed that it has inked its partnership with Air Vanuatu from Monday 30 October 2023 to further expand their mutual support. This shows why cooperation
Direct flights to boost MSG economies
More economic opportunities will open up for member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group(MSG) following the introduction of direct flights connecting Port Moresby to Asian destinations, Vanuatu and New Caledonia,
Palau and PNG sign Air Service Agreement
Palau and Papua New Guinea governments signed a bilateral Air Service Agreement on Wednesday, 23 August, 2023. PNG Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Walter Schnaubelt, and Charles Obichang, Minister of Public
Hainan Airlines to start flying next month to Samoa
A Chinese Airline based in Haikou, Hainan Airlines is expected to recommence its services next month as Samoa’s Civil Aviation Division is finalising the application from the airline to continue direct flights to
How an ex-commando trainer from Singapore is changing tourism in the Pacific
While the superpowers and regional actors jostle for influence in the Pacific Ocean, Singapore and an ex-commando trainer may play a key role in changing the tourism landscape there. In September, the new Alii Palau
Nauru Airlines eyes growth in the Pacific as carrier launches new freighter plane
Brisbane-based Nauru Airlines has marked the beginning of a new chapter as a growing freight carrier with the addition of Australia’s first Boeing 737-800F to its fleet. Although the airline is headquartered on
Air Niugini’s boeing 767 fleet back in service, domestic flights cancelled
Air Niugini’s wide body Boeing 767 fleet are back in service, says acting chief executive officer Gary Seddon. “I would like to thank our valued customers for their patience and understanding as we worked
US$4m approved for Guam airport projects
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation approved an additional US$4 million in funding requested by Guam for airport projects, the Office of Guam Delegate James Moylan announced Tuesday. The additional
New Solomon Airline airbus arriving on Thursday
Solomon Islands second airbus will touch down at Honiara International Airport on Thursday this week. The country’s national flag carrier, Solomon Airlines, is acquiring the second airbus through an eight-year lease.
Asia, Pacific flights touted in Newcastle Airport expansion
Jetting direct to Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific from Newcastle is on the horizon, but will depend on commitments from big carriers as its new international terminal rises at its Williamtown base at the end of
Jetstar launches new route to Cook Islands
Australian travellers can now pay a stopover-free visit to the Cook Island’s famous turquoise shores with the launch of new direct flights. The new Jetstar service takes off as Pacific Island travel demand spikes in
US$23 million to strengthen Tuvalu’s aviation sector
Tuvalu will soon receive US$23 million in grant financing to enhance its aviation sector, the World Bank has announced. Through its Tuvalu Safe and Resilient Aviation Project, the Bank says it aims to improve the
Fiji Airways reviews flight loads due to fuel shortage in Tuvalu
Some passengers with bookings to Tuvalu on Fiji Airways have been unable to travel this week, as the airline has had to review flight loads due to fuel shortages and supply issues at Funafuti International Airport. Fiji
Solomon Islands’ new airport surcharge fee effective June 1st
Solomon Airlines has confirmed the introduction of new airport surcharge fee effective from 1 June 2023 to help cover rising international and domestic airport costs including increased landing and lighting fees at
Samoa’s Fagalii airport re-opens with extended runway
Samoa’s Fagalii airport has reopened with an extended runway, and the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure has given his assurance that it is safe. The Minister says the airport has passed all aviation
Moylan investigating possible airfare price gouging by United Airlines
Guam Attorney General Douglas Moylan has opened an investigation against United Airlines for possible price gouging on airfare to Guam in the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar. Officials from the company are saying that higher
ASPA’s new broom
But regional airline challenges remain David Tohi is a new broom at the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA). While he takes over from Fiji’s George Faktaufon, who spent more than 30 years as ASPA Chief
Fiji Airways’ A350-degree turn
Fiji Airways’ Executive Manager Global Sales expects the airline will carry one million passengers on its flights this year. Akuila Batiweti says while this is the airline’s 2024 target, he is optimistic
How are Pacific government-owned airlines performing?
Throwing good money after bad? An expert on State Owned Enterprises with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Private Sector Development Initiative, Christopher Russell says the Samoan government’s experience with
Samoa visitor arrivals returning to pre-pandemic levels
Visitors to Samoa’s shores in the first quarter of 2023 totaled over 30,000 with data released by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) showing arrivals beginning to get to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.