Fiji still waiting for Solomon Islands to resolve airline disupute

The Fijian Government is still waiting for contact from the Solomon Island’s Government to resolve the airline dispute between the two countries so that the normal flight schedule can resume between Nadi and Honiara.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said that Fiji’s position has remained consistent and that responsibility for the dispute rested with the Solomons Government.

“After the Solomons Government banned two successive Fiji Airways flights from Nadi to Honiara in breach of our Air Services Agreement, the decision was made to suspend all Solomon Airlines flights until the matter is resolved,” he said.

The Minister explained that the suspension includes selling seats on airlines designated by Solomon Islands as code share partners. “We regret the inconvenience to the travelling public but this action was triggered by Solomon Islands and the responsibility lies with Honiara to make the first move,” he said.

The Minister reiterated that Fiji is willing to hold discussions to break the impasse, but he made Fiji’s conditions very clear. “The Solomons Government needs to lift their flight ban to allow the normal flight schedule to resume and the two airlines to return to the negotiating table,” he said.