Fiji Airways withdraws its membership with ASPA

Fiji Airways has announced that it has withdrawn its membership with the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA) with immediate effect.

The Airline made the decision in light of recent strongly biased public announcements made by the Association of South Pacific Airlines.

Fiji Airways said the comments relate to the recent issues of air travel services between Fiji and the Solomon Islands which had been amicably resolved between the two governments.

The National Airline said it will not seek to regain its membership into the Association of South Pacific Airlines unless there is a change in their leadership and in the handling of issues.

Meanwhile, the Government said it is dismayed by the unprofessional comments made by the General Secretary of the Association of South Pacific Airlines, George Faktaufon.

A government statement states that Faktaufon appears to blame Fiji for the deadlock between the two countries in direct contravention of the facts of the dispute.

The Government statement further said that the lack of professionalism is further demonstrated in the comments made in an email yesterday by Faktaufon about Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Stefan Pichler in which Faktaufon said the Association of South Pacific Airlines would not bow down to foreigners.

The government said this uncalled for reference to the head of Fiji’s national airline is deeply offensive and that Faktaufon knows that aviation is a global industry and its personnel operate across regions.