Pacific faces new battle: plastic addiction
It’s a familiar story. While Pacific negotiators recently emerged disappointed but resolute over the result of the climate change negotiations in Dubai, they are also engaged on a new front; a treaty to govern the
Hotel groups want unique visa for Chinese tourists
The two largest businesses groups in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI) are pleading for the administration of Governor Arnold I. Palacios and other local officials to support the creation and implementation
Fiji Business Briefs: ANZ survey, Drua sponsorship deal, Raine & Horne reopens
ANZ business survey: Turnover up, profitability down ANZ’s Fiji Business Survey for Q3 2023 has reported a positive upturn in turnover, with 42% of surveyed firms noting higher demand compared to the previous quarter.
Samoa wanted Chinese tourists – it got a dreamer and grifters instead
When the first direct tourist flight from China to Samoa landed in the Pacific Island country in late May, it was the culmination of years of effort to tap into the potentially lucrative Chinese market. Top Samoan
Fiji Airways announces payload limitations
Fiji Airways says flights to three Pacific Island countries will operate with reduced seating capacities due to prevailing seasonal weather conditions in the region. The airline says some guests and checked bags may not
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
Nauru Airlines new Island Hopper service connecting Palau to Australia
Nauru Airlines, the national airline of Nauru, announced the launch of its new Island Hopper Service connecting Palau to Brisbane, Australia. The inaugural flight will depart Brisbane on Thursday, 30 November 2023, and
CNMI tourism is in ‘desperate mode’
The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI)‘s only industry, tourism, is in a “desperate mode,” according to the officers of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association of NMI. In a meeting with members
Alii Palau Airline’s inaugural flight opens a new gateway to Palau
After several delays, the Alii Palau Airline’s first flight to Palau became a reality Thursday last week. At 6:40 AM on Thanksgiving Day, 23 November 2023, Drukair, a Royal Bhutan Airline, chartered by Alii Palau
Niue Impresses and Flights increase
The tourism industry in Niue is celebrating the news that Air New Zealand is re-introducing a twice weekly service departing Auckland on a Tuesday and Saturday from 2 April 2024. Demand for the destination has continued
RBF ups Fiji economic growth projection
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has upwardly revised Fiji’s 2023 economic growth forecast to 8.2%. The RBF had earlier said Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would grow by 8%. RBF Governor and Chair of the
Pacific Tourism Organisation Attends China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2023
To enhance regional collaboration and tap into the booming Chinese tourism market, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) led and coordinated the Pacific’s presence at the 24th China International Travel Mart
China announces direct flights to Port Moresby
A direct flight between Port Moresby and Guangzhou in southern China will start next month. Deputy director general of the Chinese foreign affairs commission in Guangdong province Cang Feng confirmed this to journalists
French Polynesia tourism arrivals back to pre-Covid levels
French Polynesia’s tourism arrivals have returned to pre-Covid levels, with a specifically high spending by international visitors, latest statistics revealed. Figures for the whole year 2022 show the number of
First aircraft in Air Niugini’s new fleet arrives
Air Niugini Boeing 737-800 next generation series aircraft will service the airline’s domestic and international operations, says acting chief executive officer Gary Seddon. “We are exceptionally proud to welcome
Air Niugini cancels aircraft order
Air Niugini has cancelled its acquisition of the Q-400 aircraft because they are not up to standard, says acting chief executive officer Gary Seddon. He said in a statement that the airline company had been expecting to
Alii Palau Airlines signs contract with Bhutan carrier Drukair
Drukair, a Bhutanese carrier, has signed a contract agreement with Alii Palau Airlines to commence a Singapore to Palau flight. Alii Palau Airlines is a new company which set to provide direct flights from Singapore to
Samoa and Fiji Airways talk codeshare
Negotiations have commenced between the government-owned airline, Samoa Airways and Fiji Airways on the possibility of having a codeshare agreement. This was revealed by the Minister of Public Enterprises and Samoa
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
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
Inflation, interest rates cloud post-pandemic Pacific growth: World Bank
The resumption of tourism, higher public investment and construction have fuelled the Pacific region’s economic recovery from COVID-19 but a combination of persistently high imported inflation and interest rate hikes
