Inter Island Airways’ 30-seater Dornier 328-100 currently being used in the Samoas from a base at Pago Pago International Airport. Inter Island Airway (Fiji) Limited is proposing to bring in one of these to operate services between Fiji’s main islands. Photo: World Airline News
By RACHNA LAL
The much-awaited Inter Island Airways (Fiji) Limited is planning launch to launch its domestic air services by September.
Information posted on the company’s website indicates the company has begun formal application work for a Fijian Air Operation Certificate.
Air Operation Certificate is planned to be completed and anticipated to be approved by late August or early September.
Inter Island Airways (Fiji) chief executive and president, Barney Sene, had earlier stated the airline would start operations by July pending all finals approvals.
Questions were sent to Mr Sene last month and a response is yet to come.
The Las Vegas-based Aviana Airways-managed airline is expected to be based out of Nausori International Airport.
It is linked with Inter Island Airways, which already operates in the Samoas.
Proposed routes, aircraft
It is expected to be flying from Nadi and Suva to Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni and Kadavu.
Inter Island Airways (Fiji) plans to initially launch the airline with four Dornier 228-212 (18-seater) aircraft and complement it with one 328-100 (30-seater) aircraft.
Regional connection
Inter Island Airways (Fiji) is ultimately expected to interconnect its operations and flights with American Samoa-based Inter Island Airways.
“This would form a regional network of interconnecting island routes currently not served (or underserved) yet have great business and travel potential to expand seamless user travel experience throughout the South Pacific,” the company says.
Expansion links
Expansion into the regional island countries of Tuvalu, Wallis & Futuna, Samoa, American Samoa, Niue and Tonga is planned for mid-2014 (Pending application approval), using Bombardier CRJ-200ER Jet type aircraft.
The new “Inter Island” South Pacific Regional Network will comprise of routes within Fiji, within both Samoa and American Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Wallis & Futuna, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.
“The Inter Island Regional Network with main hubs at Suva and Pago Pago will provide large air carriers with an interconnect/code-sharing partner solution,” the company says.
Inter Island Airways stressed by transferring passengers within the vast South Pacific islands, to and from their existing routes would improve the passenger experience.