Northern Air’s Embraer Bandeirante at the Labasa Airport at Waiqele the past Friday. Photo: Siteri Taleitaki
SITERI TALEITAKI LABASA
The owner of Northern Air, Rainjesh San, flew his newly-refurbished 18-seat Embraer Bandeirante to Labasa from Suva for a blessing ceremony and prayer rituals on Friday. Captain San assured the new aircraft is for the people of the North and he was pleased with the welcome rituals and performance by the Sangam community in Labasa. “People in the North have been deprived from travelling rights as they were suffering from the high cost air fares to places,” he said. “The Northern Air is here to make a difference in Vanua Levu and will make sure we give nothing but to the people in here.” Currently Northern Air is operating to Labasa and other routes with an eight-seat Britten Norman Islander. Milestone Labasa Chamber of Commerce President Satish Kumar said it is another great milestone for Northern Air. “This is great investment for the people in the North as they can’t afford to pay high rocketing airfares,” he said. “With Northern Air, people will pay cheaper rate of air fares that is affordable to everyone.” He said there will no problems with the flights as people will travel to and from the main islands. Captain San has indicated this new aircraft will come into service from mid this month. It will be used to fly Suva-Labasa-Suva twice daily at a standard fare of $130 for adults all year around, he said. It will also operate on other routes as Northern Air builds its fleet. Feedback: siteri.taleitaki@fijisun.com.fj