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
Air Vanuatu grounds flights after reportedly going into administration, Board dissolved
Air Vanuatu has cancelled or adjusted some 20 flights to and from New Zealand, Australia and Nouméa after reportedly being placed into administration. Cancelled flights include services from Port Vila to Auckland on
Saipan casino buried in $165m debt but hoping to regroup and resume business
Succumbing to the pressures from its creditors, Imperial Pacific International has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S District Court for the CNMI, reporting debts totaling of US$165.8 million. Before the
Scammers use fake Cook Islands resort to lure overseas job seekers
International scammers have created a fake Cook Islands resort to lure people looking for jobs in the tourism industry. They deceive victims into paying an upfront fee of at least $280 (US$165.90). Cook Islands News
Government insists on value of crypto bill despite criticism
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Cook Islands has hit back at the critics of the draft Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023, saying the media did not highlight positive aspects of the Bill. The Bill,
State company exports first LNG shipment
An historical moment, state-owned Petroleum company exports its first LNG shipment, bound for China. KPHL Managing Director Wapu Sonk said this is the access volume from its shareholding in the PNG LNG Project.
Air Niugini to suspend weekly Palau flights
Air Niugini has advised customers that the airline’s weekly services from Brisbane to Palau via Port Moresby will be suspended, effective 01 May 2024. This service commenced in February 2023 supported by the
BPNG survey confirms decline in business confidence
A survey conducted by the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) indicates a decline in business confidence in the country. Bank of PNG Governor Elizabeth Genia revealed this recently when presenting the March 2024 BPNG
Fiji Business Briefs: RBF on Fiji’s outlook, Aviation school to expand
RBF says inflation, job vacancies up The Reserve Bank of Fiji says indications are Fiji’s economy will grow in 2024. In a recent statement, RBF Governor, Ariff Ali said while consumption spending was positive—due to
Puma stops fuel supply in PNG, PM searches Australia for fuel
Puma stops fuel supply in PNG PNG’s fuel dilemma is far from over. Service stations are shutting down while Jet A1 that keeps planes flying might finish today, says the country’s major fuel supplier Puma Energy
Continue aviation fuel supply, PNG court tells fuel supplier Puma Energy
Papua New Guinea National Court has ordered Puma Energy to continue supplying aviation fuel to Air Niugini until 27 February as per their agreement, describing the fuel supply issue as of national importance. Judge
Fiji tourism industry celebrates leaders and innovators at annual awards
The Sheraton Fiji Golf Resort and Spa sparkled with glamour and excitement as the venue of the 2023 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards on Saturday night. The event, attended by 700 tourism operators and
Puma scales down operations, a fuel crisis is imminent in PNG
A fuel crisis is imminent with fuel and liquid gas supplier Puma Energy reducing its Papua New Guinea operation. Effective last Thursday, Puma Energy started to issue termination of contract notices to customers. Early
ANT Bicycles Tonga: The first bicycle rental shop in the Kingdom
Visitors to Tonga have a new way of exploring Tongatapu thanks to Alamoni and Taniela Takeifanga. They are the proud owners of ANT Bicycles Tonga, the first family-owned bicycle rental business in the heart of
Queensland trade mission strengthens ties with Fiji and the Pacific
Queensland is set to bolster its trade and investment ties with Fiji through a trade mission led by Trade and Investment Queensland. This week’s mission aims to advance Queensland’s Pacific Trade Strategy,
Pacific Island economies show resilience amidst challenges
A new report by ANZ Research says there are challenges ahead for six Pacific Island countries in sustaining the momentum of economic growth. In the bank’s latest Pacific Economic Outlook, economists Kishti Sen and Tom
Galoa women turning trash to cash
In Fiji, a group of 15 dedicated women has been doing their part to create a circular economy by turning plastic trash into cash for the last four years. Based in the coastal village of Galoa, the Bulikula Women’s
PNG expands Visa on Arrival to all Pacific Islands
Papua New Guinea has announced the extension of Visa on Arrival (VOA) privileges to all Pacific Island States and Territories. Loop PNG reports Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau, as making the official
U.S. Air Force plans to host 12 Singapore fighter jets on Guam
The U.S. Department of Air Force is proposing the beddown of up to a dozen Singapore Air Force F-15 fighter jets, which forms part of a 2019 agreement with the Asian ally to establish a permanent training detachment at
Westpac stays, so what’s next?
Westpac’s October announcement that it no longer planned to sell its remaining businesses in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and its statement to the Australian Stock Exchange that it would increase investment in its
Porgera will fix FX, economy: PNG PM Marape
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape says once the Porgera gold mine comes on next year, it will help fix the country’s economy, especially the shortage of foreign exchange (forex). “Our people need the
China Southern Airlines to make inaugural flight
China Southern Airlines will make its inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Port Moresby in December 2023. Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation and Member for Namatanai Open, Walter D. Schnaubelt said during his
