Dubai approaches Fiji for air services arrangements

On 27 May 2009 Radio New Zealand International reported that Dubai has approached the Fiji Government with a view to putting in place the necessary arrangements to allow Emirates to serve Fiji. This followed a 25 May 2009 report in the Fiji Times quoting Fiji Director of Civil Aviation, Akuila Waradi, who stated that this would be given priority over air services arrangements negotiations with India, China, Canada, Australia and the United States.

On 28 May 2009 Arabian Business reported the airline as stating that “Emirates continues to be in regular dialogue with various governments. However, at this stage we have no immediate plans to operate to new gateways in the South Pacific.”

I recall being surprised to see how much advertising for Emirates was around Apia, Samoa, when I visited not that long ago.