RACHNA LAL
SUVA
The suspension of Fiji Airways flights into Solomon Islands is not expected to have any impact on Fiji Airways revenue.
Fiji Airways managing director/chief executive, Stefan Pichler, confirmed the airline was running on break-even with their Nadi-Port-Vila-Honiara flights.
“We did not make any money from flights between Port Vila and Honiara,” he said.
Mr Pichler stated the suspension of those flights has now enabled Fiji Airways to fly Nadi to Port Vila with their brand new ATR 72-600 instead of a Boeing 737.
“This is great news because we operate ATR 72 at lower cost,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Pichler expressed his disappointment over Solomon Islands not participating in a recent regional forum where there could have been a possibility to hold some form of discussion.
“After just coming back from the Melanesia Airline and Tourism Forum in Vanuatu, our team was disappointed not to find any senior representative from Solomon participating,” he said.
“We could have talked. I personally believe that in life you always write yourself apart, but you talk yourself together. So, I think releasing press releases is not the best way to lead a dialogue.”
Solomon Airlines chief executive, Ron Sumsum, told the Fiji Sun given this situation was currently at government level, it would not be suitable for the airline to make any comment at this moment.
“Solomon Airlines is hopeful of a swift resolution,” he said.