WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 1) – The Fiji-based airline, Air Fiji, is reportedly protesting the government’s decision to revoke its license to service Tonga.
Air Fiji has been replaced on the route by Air Pacific, which is majority owned by the Fiji government.
Air Fiji’s chief executive, Sialeni Vuetaki, told the Fiji Times the Fiji government’s reason is that the smaller, mainly domestic carrier is not majority Fiji owned.
Air service agreements between countries recognize only airlines that are designated national carriers.
But Vuetaki notes that Air Fiji has been majority owned by the Tuvalu government for several years and the shareholding has not changed since the Tonga license was issued.
He says Air Fiji is losing over US$1.2 million in income as a result of the Fiji government’s recent decision.
According to the Times, Air Pacific yesterday began its first flight to Tonga, a service it intends to...