Fiji Airways direct flights between Nadi to Honiara suspended

The Fiji Airways direct flights between Nadi to Honiara have been suspended over the past two weekends following a Solomon Islands ban.

The dispute began after the Solomon Islands government breached the Air Services Agreement between Fiji and Solomon’s that allows for air travel between the two nations.

A statement from the Fiji Government states after the latest flight was refused permission to fly on Saturday, Fiji countered by banning a Solomon Airlines flight that was due to take place on the same day.

Attorney General and Minister for Civil Aviation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said the responsibility for the dispute rested with Solomon Islands.

Sayed-Khaiyum said there had been a disagreement between the airlines of the two countries over sharing the direct route but Fiji had anticipated that the dispute could be settled in the normal commercial manner.

He said they need to lift their flight ban and allow the airlines to return to the negotiating table so that this dispute can be resolved and the travelling public is not inconvenienced any further.

Meanwhile, Fiji Airways has issued an apology to all affected customers.    

Fiji Airways is hopeful that the Governments of Solomon Islands and Fiji are able to reach a speedy resolution on this issue, for the benefit of air travellers between the two countries.