Fiji and Australia boost airline capacity

Fiji and Australia have struck a deal to boost passenger traffic between the countries by 10 per cent. The South Pacific island is a popular travel destination for Australians and the new agreement should prove a boost for its important tourism industry. Airlines had used available passenger capacity on routes between Fiji and Australia’s four biggest airports and Australian Transport Minister Darren Chester described the deal, which will also see the limits on freight double, as a great outcome for both countries. “Expansion of these arrangements with Fiji has been long sought after by airline and airport stakeholders and the Turnbull-Joyce government has delivered,” Chester said in a statement. “This agreement is a win for Australian travellers, given it consistently ranks among the top 10 international destinations. “The additional passenger capacity will provide more opportunities for airlines to strengthen business and tourism links between our two countries. “Doubling airline freight capacity on the route will also allow carriers to capitalise on the significant trade and investment relationship between Australia and Fiji, valued at over $4.2 billion in 2015-16. Fiji is serviced directly from Australia by Jetstar and Virgin Australia while Fiji Airways, which codeshares with 46 per cent stakeholder Qantas,  flies to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The Fiji Airways Group in 2016 recorded a record profit $F84.5 million ($US41m) despite a devastating cyclone and increased competition. Passenger numbers rose 4.9 per cent to 1.4 million as the airline launched new routes from Fiji to  Singapore, Vava’u (Tonga) and San Francisco. It also increased flights to Hong Kong and boosted a range of seasonal services to a range of destinations.