By RANOBA BAOA
Fiji Airways will soon have additional services to Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands.
This is in a bid to strengthen its already comprehensive network in the region, a commitment for its Five-Year Strategic Masterplan.
The added Solomon Islands service would also be an added advantage in competition with Air Niugini and Solomon Airlines.
The added service to Tuvalu is also a positive response to the Tuvaluan request for the airline to increase its services there.
Fiji Airways managing director/chief executive Stefan Pichler said the airline’s reason for penetrating into the South Pacific region was part of their key growth target.
“And we will increase capacity to the region,” Mr Pichler assured.
“These two additions to the schedule are part of that plan. The direct Honiara service and an additional Funafuti service will strengthen our already comprehensive regional network.”
Other added services
The airline also announced to have six flights a week between Fiji – Samoa and Fiji – Tonga, and five flights between Fiji and Vanuatu by mid-2014.
“We now connect the Pacific Islands to key long haul markets like United States and Hong Kong on our own network like no other airline does,” he said.
“This presents people of the Pacific increased opportunities for business and leisure travel beyond the region, as well as connect visitors from the United States, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand to these countries.”
He said it provided the added push for businesses and trade to networks through the Nadi International Airport.
“We strongly believe in the growth potential in the South Pacific. Our Five Year Masterplan highlights our commitment and underscores our desire to remain the leading network airline in the region.”
Tuvalu starts from
June 21
q Will operate a third weekly flight on Saturdays between Suva and
Funafuti on June 21.
q Its existing services are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
q Aircraft: Pacific Sun (soon-to-be Fiji Link) ATR 42-500 aircraft.
Solomon Islands starts
from July 5
q Will operate a direct service between Nadi and Honiara on Saturday from July 5.
q Its existing service is Nadi-Port Vila-Honiara on Tuesdays and Saturday direct Nadi-Port Vila services.
q Aircraft: B737-700