The government of Fiji has approved a recommendation to adopt an open skies policy. Approval was granted during an April 9 cabinet meeting in Suva and resulted from a review of the country's National Aviation Policy, it said in a statement. Approvals will be granted on a case-by-case basis and will consider economic, strategic, and operational factors.
Minutes of the meeting viewed by ch-aviation reveal that Fiji Airways (FJ, Nadi) CEO Andre Viljoen gave a presentation during the meeting. ch-aviation has contacted Fiji Airways for comment.
The cabinet meeting also agreed that negotiations could start with the United States for an open skies framework that would allow Fiji Airways to operate direct services between Fiji and new US destinations as well as via the US to a third country. ch-aviation schedules data shows that the airline currently offers scheduled flights between Nadi and Honolulu, Los Angeles International, and San Francisco. It is the only scheduled passenger operator on the country pair.
According to Fiji's Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the country has signed 28 bilateral air service agreements, including with the US and the other markets Fiji Airways serves. The agreement with the US dates back to 1979 and was amended in 1996. The existing agreement with the US gives Fijian passenger operators the right to fly (i) from Fiji via Auckland International to Honolulu and Los Angeles and beyond to Vancouver International, (ii) from Fiji to Honolulu and San Francisco, (iii) from Fiji via intermediate points in the area of the South Pacific Commission to Guam International and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and beyond Guam to an agreed airport in Japan (but excluding Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya Chubu, and Okinawa Naha), and (iv) from Fiji via intermediate points in the area of the South Pacific Commission to Pago Pago and beyond via points in the area of the South Pacific Commission to Papeete.
