SOLOMON STAR
HONIARA
A businessman in Solomon Islands has called for the removal of Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands Director, George Satu.
This is because of what Peterson Boso claimed as his inability to handle the Fiji Airways and Solomon Airlines saga effectively and efficiently.
Mr Boso claims the standoff between the two airlines would have been avoided, had Mr Satu done his job properly.
He stated that a number of important regional aviation meeting have been held, which provided the opportunity for this matter to be discussed.
But, Mr Boso pointed that because of the failure of the authority’s participation in these meetings, these issues were never properly discussed by the appropriate authorities and therefore avoiding all this drama.
“I was in Fiji when the Solomon Airlines Representative and Solomon Islands High Commissioner met with Fiji Civil Aviation authority some months back. I did not see CASSI representative there,” he said.
“Solomon Airlines are just operators and do not have much power in negotiations, it is the Government who is the authority here and appropriate bodies should have been present during such important discussions, especially CASSI representatives.”
Flights between the two countries have been suspended because of tit-for-tat dispute. It began when Solomon Islands blocked direct Fiji Airways flights.
“I do business with Fiji companies and this saga has greatly affected my business deals. Private sectors are greatly affected by this standoff, and the country will stand to lose financially if this issue is not addressed quickly,” he said.
Mr Boso further claims that Fiji is doing fine economically with or without this standoff and therefore, it is important that CASSI should be smart about addressing this issue amicably.
“We may claim our right but at the expense of our private sector development.”
“Therefore, I call upon the removal of CASSI Director for his inability to handle the situation properly. It seems that the issue is getting worse and worse, and CASSI to stop misleading the public with your explanation,” he added.
Mr Peterson Boso is one of the few Solomon Islanders who currently operates a clothing shop in Honiara, in collaboration with Fiji business houses and would very much want this impasse to be resolved as soon as possible.
Fijian Minister for Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said government was waiting for contact from the Solomon Islands Government to resolve the airline dispute so that normal flight schedule could resume.
“Fiji’s position has remained consistent and that responsibility for the dispute rested with the Solomons Government.”
Mr Satu said they are willing to hold discussions to break the impasse but the onus was on Fiji to make the move.
“It’s up to Fiji because Solomon Islands has requested to hold discussions in Fiji on numerous occasions but that could not happen and the reason is only known to the Fijian authorities,” he said.
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