Fiji Airways Eyes Expanded U.S. Routes with New Open Skies Agreement

6 months ago Editor

Fiji Airways is nearing an open-skies agreement with the U.S., which would allow the airline to add Portland, Dallas, and Chicago to its list of destinations, expanding beyond the current flights to Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, announced that negotiations with U.S. authorities on an open-skies air service agreement for Fiji Airways are progressing positively. This agreement would allow Fiji Airways to expand its destinations to include Portland, Dallas, and Chicago, beyond the current flights to Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco under the existing Air Services Agreement (ASA).

Gavoka expressed optimism that approval would be granted in the coming weeks, enabling the airline to start planning new routes. The Fijian Cabinet has approved the liberalization of aviation policy to allow open skies on a case-by-case basis.

“Americans can fly here, and we want to fly to ports in the USA. The opportunity is also in many other ports. The ASA is limiting us to three, the open skies policy under this ASA, we’re going to have more ports in the US, and we can even fly across the USA through codeshare. The possibilities are limitless,” Gavoka stated.

However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenge of accommodation, especially as American travelers tend to visit Fiji during their winter, which coincides with Fiji’s low season. He emphasized the need to build more rooms to accommodate the increased number of tourists, not only in winter but also during the summer season.

Gavoka highlighted that potential investors in Fiji’s hotel industry would be more likely to commit if they knew about increased capacity and access to key markets like the U.S. The prospect of an open skies agreement could provide a sense of security to these investors, knowing that Fiji’s business sources would broaden significantly.

“Our airline is of a very high standard, performing well, and we expect great things from the U.S. market,” Gavoka added, reflecting confidence in Fiji Airways’ future growth.

Gavoka also mentioned that the potential open-skies agreement could significantly enhance Fiji’s connectivity with major U.S. cities, thereby boosting tourism and creating economic opportunities for both countries. He emphasized the strategic importance of this agreement in positioning Fiji as a key travel hub in the Pacific region. By offering more direct routes, Fiji Airways could attract a higher volume of tourists, business travelers, and transit passengers, enhancing the country’s reputation as a desirable destination and transit point.

Moreover, Gavoka pointed out that this initiative aligns with Fiji’s broader economic goals. The increased air traffic is expected to spur development in related sectors, such as hospitality, retail, and transportation. The government is actively engaging with local businesses and stakeholders to prepare for the anticipated influx of visitors. This includes enhancing infrastructure, improving service standards, and ensuring sustainable tourism practices. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his confidence that the open-skies agreement would be a catalyst for long-term growth and prosperity, benefiting not just the aviation industry but the entire Fijian economy.