Further delays to starting operations here
By RACHNA LAL
Inter Island Airways (Fiji) Limited has now rescheduled its domestic operation launch dates and is now expected to start operations by late November or early December.
This has been confirmed by the chief executive and president of this Las Vegas-based Aviana Airways-managed airline, Barney Sene.
Mr Sene said they had originally planned to start the airline operations in late June or early July this year.
“This was moved to September as we worked through our certification process and now we have firmed our date to late November/December,” he told the Fiji Sun.
Mr Sene said although the delays had been disappointing for them, the airline pieces are all coming together now.
“The delays have allowed us to make other positive adjustments in our business plans and direction as economic conditions have changed,” he said.
“As we progress towards the November/December launch date, further updates will be provided and announced.
“We have a high level of confidence regarding our new end of November/early December launch date.
“The timing gets us right into the busy holiday season when air transportation will be critical.”
Causes for the delay
Whilst there have been many
Mr Sene highlighted there were three major factors which were causing the delays.
One of the factors is the completion of their aircraft acquisitions.
“We are preparing the aircraft to ensure they comply with the latest regulations such as ADS-B which is due to be implemented and enforced in Fiji in December,” he said.
“We are also completing and finalising the acquisition of an aviation company in Nadi which will provide support infrastructure and facilities for Inter Island Airways (Fiji) to expand.
“Also the completion of our Air Operating Certificate (AOC) with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), which is scheduled to be completed by end of October.”
Mr Sene said the Air Operation Certificate is required and will allow Inter Island Airways (Fiji) to operate as an airline in Fiji.
“CAAF and our technical team have been working diligently to move this process expeditiously along,” he said.
Mr Sene said this process unfortunately does take some time to finalise and do properly.
“This is given this is a new “Schedule” airline Air Operating Certificate and they will be introducing into Fiji new aircraft types that have not operated before in the Fiji domestic airspace,” he said.
“It involves familiarising CAAF with the new aircraft and our proposed operating procedures, and bringing our engineering and maintenance personnel and flight crews up to speed with the aircraft.”
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji did not wish to comment as they said regulatory requirements were still under due process.
Inter Island’s focus on North
Mr Sene said their focus will be on reliable and sustainable air service to the Northern Islands from Nadi and Suva.
“As we get closer to our new launch date, additional announcements will be forthcoming on our website and press releases,” he said.
“In particular, on how we plan to invest in the Northern Islands.”
The proposed domestic and regional services by Inter Island Airways (Fiji) Limited.