By MARAIA VULA
Northern Air Services Charters Limited is starting the year with a new flight to Ono-i-Lau. It revives a scheduled air link to the distant southern Lau island that has long been dormant after other airlines found it not viable.
Northern Air management said this new service is all thanks to Government’s provisions and commitment to transportation to the outer islands.
The once-a-week flight began on January 6.
Deputy Accountable / Human Resources / Finance manager, Florence San said the airline saw the need for transportation in this part of Fiji hence its reintroduction.
“The service has started after 18 years. The Government of the day saw the need for the travelling public to be able to see and meet their social and family obligations,” Mrs San said.
“Northern Air has always shown interest to those living in grass roots level and will continue to explore Fiji’s most beautiful islands for our own people and the visitors/ tourists from abroad.”
The one-hour-15-minute trip costs passengers $405.75 from Nausori.
Local travel growth
Mrs San said the growth in local travel gave an opportune time for making investment in the aviation industry.
“We have made a lot for investments in order to fill up the vacuum and provide the service that is needed not only for the north but other islands,” she said.
“Some of our remote islands and populace are neglected with occasional travel opportunities to the mainland centres for medical, educational and more so reunion.”
Northern Air also has regular air services to Moala, Gau, Levuka , Taveuni, Koro, Savusavu, and Labasa from Nausori Airport (check Graphic for routes).
Northern Air has been operating services with small piston-engined Britten Norman Islander aircraft. It has plans to expand services using bigger, faster turboprop Embraer Bandeirante planes.