Fiji Aviation Policy and "Open Skies" with the United States

Following the announcement of a Cabinet decision on 9 April 2024 that also agreed to a mandate for negotiating an "open skies" agreement with the United States, in May 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, signed off on a new Aviation Policy that allows for "liberalisation of air transport on a case-by-case basis, in the national interest."

A new "open skies" air transport agreement between Fiji and the United States of America was signed between the two countries on 28 August 2024.

Singapore concludes "open skies" agreements with Barbados, Brazil, Jamaica and Rwanda

On 19 July 2010 the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced that Singapore had concluded "open skies" agreement with Barbados, Brazil, Jamaica and Rwanda at ICAN 2010.

Air services arrangements between Fiji and Singapore were also modified to create new opportunities.

Fiji negotiators heading for ICAO meeting in Jamaica

On 17 June 2010 the Fiji Times reported that Fiji is sending an air services negotiation delegation to the third ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference at Montego Bay, Jamaica from 28 June to 2 July 2010. One of the objectives of the Fiji delegation is to continue negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (previous post).

Fiji to continue air services negotiations with the UAE

On 12 February 2010 the Fiji Times reported that air services negotiations between Fiji and the United Arab Emirates would continue at the third ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference to be held in Jamaica at the end of June (see previous post).

The UAE Foreign Minister has been making a multi-stop visit to the South West Pacific.

Australian IASC splits capacity in decision on Fiji routes

On 6 November 2009 the Australian International Air Services Commission finalised its decisions allocating capacity for new services by V Australia and Qantas-owned Jetstar to Fiji, allocating 907 seats of capacity to V Australia and 852 seats of capacity to Qantas.

Fiji negotiates air services arrangements with Turkey

On 5 October 2009 the Fiji Government announced that Fiji has negotiated an air services agreement with Turkey at the recent ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference (see previous post). The Fiji Daily Post reported on this on 7 October 2009.

Fiji also held negotiations with the United Arab Emirates and informal talks with India, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The release refers to Fiji having a "Look North Policy".

Qantas looking to sell Air Pacific stake to Fiji Government

A 7 October 2009 article in the Australian reports that the Fiji Government has set up a committee to consider purchasing the 46% of Air Pacific owned by Qantas.

Qantas subsidiary Jetstar is seeking some of the available Australian capacity under the Australia-Fiji air services arrangements that is also being sought by the Virgin Blue group's V Australia. A allocation decision on this is to be made by the Australian International Air Services Commission (IASC).

The UAE signs "open skies" agreements with the Dominican Republic and Zambia

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that it has signed "open skies" agreements with Zambia (2 October 2009) and the Dominican Republic (5 October 2009).

On 29 September 2009 it was reported by AMEinfo.com that, during the second ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference held in Istanbul held 28 September to 2 October 2009, the UAE was planning to hold bilateral negotiations with "Turkey, Korea, Norway, France, Fiji, Bangladesh, India, Zambia, Ethiopia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Dominique Republic." The article noted that of a total of 126 air services agreements signed by the UAE 41 were "open sky".

Fiji and Papua New Guinea conclude new air services arrangements

Fijilive and The National have reported that on 9 September 2009 Fiji and Papua New Guinea signed a Memorandum of Understanding putting in place new air services arrangements that were negotiated last year.

I suspect that the reference in The National's article to "fleet freedom rights" may in fact be to fifth freedom rights at intermediate points.

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.

Fiji negotiates air services arrangements with Hong Kong

The interim Fiji Government announced on 22 April 2009 that it has signed a Confidential Memorandum of Understanding with Hong Kong. This included the initialling of an Air Services Agreement (ASA).

Air Pacific (FJ), part owned by oneworld alliance member Qantas, is now planning to commence air services between Nadi and Hong Kong in December 2009. The announcement imples that Air Pacific will look to enter into a commercial arrangements with Cathay Pacific, also a member of oneworld.

Fijilive reported on 2 April 2009 that Air Pacific is exploring the possibility of codesharing on Noumea-based Aircalin after recently ceasing operating to Japan. This would require amending the Fiji-Japan ASA to allow for third-country code share and an intermediate point in Noumea.

Fiji Budget increases departure tax

The Fiji Times reported on 25 November 2008 that the 21 November 2008 Fiji Budget included an increase in departure tax to F$75 from 2009. The current level is $F40 per person and the increase is to come into effect on 1 January.

Fiji to join the PIASA

On 7 October 2008 the Fiji Interim Government announced that Fiji intends to join the Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement (PIASA)(see previous post).

Given Fiji's central geographic location in the South Pacific and its past concerns about air services liberalisation, this is a significant announcement.

Air Pacific review hearings

In stories on 2 September and 5 September 2008 the Fiji Times reported that task force hearings on Air Pacific are under way.

On 1 August 2008 the Office of the Attorney General announced that around 30 public submissions had been received.

What the task force is interested in was outlined in a call for submissions issued by the Fiji Government (see previous post).

Review of Air Pacific

On 21 May 2008 the interim Fiji government announced that it was appointing a Cabinet Task Force to carry out a review of Air Pacific. The airline is 51% owned by the Fiji government, with Qantas holding a 46% stake.

Like many airlines, Fiji-based Air Pacific will be suffering from the impact of the rocketing price of oil and will be affected by the Boeing B787 delays (the airline has five on order), but the airline also has had other challenges.

On 26 May 2008 the Fiji government responded to criticism from the Association of South Pacific Airlines relating to the review by the Task Force.

The Task Force held its first meeting on 3 June 2008 and will be calling for public submissions.

Fiji and Tonga agree to air capacity increase

The Fiji Times, in an article dated 7 May 2008, reports that Fiji and Tonga have agreed to a new Memorandum of Understanding increasing the capacity available to the airlines of each side to 1,000 seats per week. The previous limit had been 350. A report from Fijilive dated 7 May 2008 adds that the new arrangements are to include an exchange of fifth freedom rights.

A report from Fijilive on 9 May 2008 covers the possibility that Air Pacific is looking to start international services to Vava'u.

I have been fortunate enough to visit Vava'u twice. The island group really is a gem with good potential for tourism if reliable air transport links can be maintained. The current small airport, which lies in a shallow basin on the main island, has the most displaced landing thresholds I have ever seen on a runway.

Air Pacific looking to drop operations to Vancouver

A 2 February 2007 joint application to the US Department of Transportation (DoT) shows that Fiji-based Air Pacific is seeking to drop operations beyond Honolulu (HNL) to Vancouver (YVR) and instead codeshare on Vancouver-based B757 operator Harmony Airways. Harmony would codeshare on Air Pacific between Honolulu and Nadi.

On 11 January 2007 Air Pacific and Air New Zealand received US DoT approval of their application to codeshare on each other's Nadi (NAN) - Los Angeles (LAX) operations.

Fiji-Nauru Air Services Agreement signed

On 26 January 2007 the Fiji Government announced the signing the day before of the first Air Services Agreement between it and Nauru.

Air Nauru, recently relaunched as Our Airline, has in the past operated scheduled services into Nadi (NAN), a significant hub for aviation activity in the South Pacific. Air Nauru was not able to operate beyond Nadi to New Zealand because Nauru and Fiji had not exchanged the necessary fifth freedom rights.