The Fijian Government has designated newly named Fiji Airways as the island nation's second international carrier, following approval by the local Trade and Investment Board for the planned Fijian-Singaporean joint venture start-up airline.
According to Fiji chief operating officer Pravin Jumabhoy, the next steps are to amend Fiji's bilateral air services agreements (ASAs) and to apply for an air operator's certificate by July. Subject to this and its securing landing slots, Fiji plans to begin operations from November using an Airbus A310-300 and a Boeing 747-300 combi leased from Singapore Airlines.
The airline will initially operate a thrice-weekly service from Nadi to London Gatwick, via Singapore and Mumbai in India.
The airline was originally billed as Fiji International Airways, but collapsed this year after backers failed to materialise and chief executive Alan Lindrea disappeared, leaving a trail of debts. The airline has been re-launched with $5 million in capitalisation and new management and backers.
Source: Flight International
